Lithium-free Sodium Battery Car To Hit The Roads In China

JAC Motors, backed by Volkswagen, is poised to introduce the automotive world to the inaugural mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) housing a sodium-ion battery under its fresh Yiwei label.

Although sodium-ion battery technology currently holds lower density and a less refined stage compared to lithium-ion, its cost-effectiveness, wider availability, and superior functionality in colder climates could significantly propel the widespread adoption of EVs.

Reports from CarNewsChina indicate that deliveries of the JAC Yiwei EV hatchback are slated to commence in January. Yiwei emerges as a 2023 addition to JAC's repertoire.

With Volkswagen holding a commanding 75% stake and managerial authority in JAC, while also owning 50% of JAC’s parent company, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Holdings (JAG), the alliance forms one of the auto industry's more unconventional partnerships, with the Chinese government owning the other half of JAG.

The Yiwei EV seems to be a revamped rendition of the previously announced Sehol E10X hatchback. As per CarNewsChina, the Sehol model boasts a 252 km (157 miles) range equipped with a 25 kWh capacity, 120 Wh/kg energy density, 3C to 4C charging capability, and utilizes the HiNa NaCR32140 cell.

When JAC introduced the Yiwei brand in May, it signified the discontinuation of the Sehol branding, opting instead to rebrand all vehicles under either JAC or Yiwei, culminating in the recent unveiling of the EV. However, JAC is yet to confirm whether the Yiwei-branded model will retain the E10X nomenclature.

Earlier in April, JAC previewed a separate EV named the Yiwei 3 during the Shanghai Auto Show. The model hit the market in June, featuring an LFP lithium battery, with the promise of the sodium-ion variant's subsequent launch.

The new Yiwei EV purportedly employs cylindrical sodium-ion cells sourced from HiNA Battery. JAC assembles these batteries utilizing the company's modular UE (Unitized Encapsulation) honeycomb structure, akin to CATL’s CTP (cell-to-pack) and BYD’s Blade.

This configuration offers the potential for enhanced stability and performance, setting a promising foundation.

There is no word at the moment if it will come to the UK at the time of writing this article. But if it proves successful in China we could see a host of cheaper EVs featuring sodium-ion battery tech.