In a significant leap towards making electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible and efficient, JAC Motors, a Chinese manufacturer under the Volkswagen umbrella, is set to launch the world’s first electric car equipped with a sodium ion battery. This groundbreaking development, part of the new Yiwei brand, promises to address the longstanding challenge of EV range and affordability.
Features and Performance
The star of the show is the Yiwei EV hatchback, slated for release in January 2024. With a range of 252 km on a single charge, this sodium ion battery-powered marvel is expected to make waves in the electric vehicle market. The HiNA sodium battery, boasting a capacity of 25 kWh, facilitates rapid charging from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. While this range is half of the lithium iron phosphate battery model launched earlier, offering 505 km on a single charge, the sodium ion variant showcases remarkable progress.
Market Impact and Affordability
JAC Motors aims to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle market by introducing sodium ion batteries that are not only cost-effective but also deliver excellent performance, even in cold weather conditions. Company President Jia Shunli envisions this technology propelling JAC Motors to a leading position in the EV market, thanks to the lower cost of sodium ion batteries.
Battery Technology Advancements
The innovative HiNA battery, integrated into the Yiwei EV hatchback, features cylindrical sodium ion cells and is meticulously assembled within JAC Motors’ modular Unitized Encapsulation (UE) honeycomb structure. This design ensures heightened stability and performance for the battery, ushering in a new era of efficiency in electric vehicles.
As the automotive industry witnesses this groundbreaking development, the sodium ion battery model’s lower cost and impressive performance are anticipated to stimulate greater interest and adoption of electric cars, potentially reshaping the landscape of sustainable transportation.
