China starts sale of Electric Cars Powered by Sodium-Ion Batteries

I last wrote on the subject of Sodium? Batteries on LinkedIn Tech Life Newsletter about 4 months back. You can read that article here entitled “Battery giants invest in Sodium-based technology, signalling potential disruption in EV industry”.

Ever since, Sodium Batteries have been making more news and there is enough traction in the field indicating that there is rapid progress happening globally, with China in the lead towards commercialization for now.

Sodium-based batteries (SBBs)?are emerging as a promising alternative to?Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)?due to their similarities in chemistry and fabrication techniques. Let’s delve into the current status of SBB development and commercialization:

1. Background: The demand for energy storage is rising rapidly, driven by environmental concerns and the need for a carbon-neutral society. Both LIBs and SBBs offer high energy density, cyclic life, and rapid development. They find applications in residential, industrial, e-mobility, and electronic sectors.
2. Challenges and Prospects: While LIBs have seen rapid commercialization, SBBs are still in the early stages. SBBs have advantages like sustainability, cost-effectiveness, safety, and long cycle life. However, their energy density is not yet sufficient to meet widespread application requirements. Researchers are optimizing anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials to enhance SBB electrochemical performance. Several companies are founded to commercialize SBB technology.
3. Commercialization Journey: Companies are working on different SBB chemistries. Promising chemistries include those with co-free cathode chemistry, high-rate capability, and long cycle life. The global SIB market size is predicted to reach 4368 million USD by 2030.
4. Recent Developments: Global giants like CATL and BYD are investing in SBB technology, indicating its potential. Some companies have made advancements, but most SBBs are still in technology readiness levels (TRL) between 5 and 6 (promising results but not ready for commercial production). QuantumScape and Toyota are also making strides in SBB development despite commercialization challenges.

The world's largest automotive market recently welcomed two sodium-ion-battery-powered EVs. Both cars offer a driving range of about 250 kilometers. Whether the vehicles can become alternatives for lithium-battery EVs is worth the attention. It seems that the lower end of EVs have started using Sodium batteries on a commercial scale.

On December 28, 2023, China-based battery maker Farasis Energy saw a vehicle equipped with its sodium-ion batteries being rolled off the production line of JMEV, an EV brand of Chinese Jiangling Motors Group.

According to Farasis, the compact JMEV EV3 can enable a driving range of 251 kilometers, fulfilling the need for commuting and cross-city travel. The company said its mass-produced sodium-ion batteries have an energy density between 140Wh/kg and 160Wh/kg. The battery technology has a discharge capacity retention of more than 91% and can support passenger EVs and electric two-wheelers.

Farasis said it plans to release the second generation of its sodium-ion batteries in 2024 and bring the energy density to between 160Wh/kg and 180Wh/kg. In 2026, the density will be upgraded to between 180Wh/kg and 200Wh/kg to satisfy more applications.

The company said it has worked on joint sodium battery projects with customers focusing on passenger EVs, two-wheelers, battery-swapping, and energy storage systems.

Another EV powered by sodium-ion batteries was rolled off the production line in China on December 27, 2023. The vehicle was made by Yiwei, a brand of JAC Group, and uses batteries from Hina Battery.

Hina said the EV is equipped with the company's cylindrical sodium-ion cells that can support a driving range of 252 kilometers. The car will start deliveries in January 2024. Hina said its sodium batteries have been applied to electric bikes and energy storage power stations.?

China-based The Paper reported that the lithium price rise in 2022 prompted leading battery companies like CATL and Eve Energy to launch their sodium-ion battery technology. According to an announcement from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in June 2023, Chery Automobile plans to launch an EV with CATL's sodium-ion batteries.??

The Paper reported that China imports about 70% of its lithium each year. The high-priced lithium can significantly burden the battery and EV industry. In contrast, sodium-ion battery costs will decrease tremendously after entering volume production. Sodium-ion batteries also have superior discharge capabilities than lithium counterparts.

EV made by JAC's Yiwei uses sodium-ion batteries from Hina Battery. Credit: Hina

The world's largest automotive market recently welcomed two sodium-ion-battery-powered EVs. Both cars offer a driving range of about 250 kilometers. Whether the vehicles can become alternatives for lithium-battery EVs is worth the attention.

On December 28, 2023, China-based battery maker Farasis Energy saw a vehicle equipped with its sodium-ion batteries being rolled off the production line of JMEV, an EV brand of Chinese Jiangling Motors Group.

According to Farasis, the compact JMEV EV3 can enable a driving range of 251 kilometers, fulfilling the need for commuting and cross-city travel. The company said its mass-produced sodium-ion batteries have an energy density between 140Wh/kg and 160Wh/kg. The battery technology has a discharge capacity retention of more than 91% and can support passenger EVs and electric two-wheelers.

Farasis said it plans to release the second generation of its sodium-ion batteries in 2024 and bring the energy density to between 160Wh/kg and 180Wh/kg. In 2026, the density will be upgraded to between 180Wh/kg and 200Wh/kg to satisfy more applications.

The company said it has worked on joint sodium battery projects with customers focusing on passenger EVs, two-wheelers, battery-swapping, and energy storage systems.

Another EV powered by sodium-ion batteries was rolled off the production line in China on December 27, 2023. The vehicle was made by Yiwei, a brand of JAC Group, and uses batteries from Hina Battery.

Hina said the EV is equipped with the company's cylindrical sodium-ion cells that can support a driving range of 252 kilometers. The car will start deliveries in January 2024. Hina said its sodium batteries have been applied to electric bikes and energy storage power stations.?

China-based The Paper reported that the lithium price rise in 2022 prompted leading battery companies like CATL and Eve Energy to launch their sodium-ion battery technology. According to an announcement from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in June 2023, Chery Automobile plans to launch an EV with CATL's sodium-ion batteries.??

The Paper reported that China imports about 70% of its lithium each year. The high-priced lithium can significantly burden the battery and EV industry. In contrast, sodium-ion battery costs will decrease tremendously after entering volume production. Sodium-ion batteries also have superior discharge capabilities than lithium counterparts.

For your reference, here is what the Sodium-ion battery construction looks like:

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That’s all in this newsletter; more next week.

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Arun Bhatia

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