Sodium-ion batteries, which may provide vital price and uncooked materials procurement benefits over the lithium-ion sort, have been a lot mentioned within the press of late.

Chinese language battery behemoth CATL unveiled its first-generation sodium-ion battery in July 2021. On the time, analysts predicted that Na-ion cells, that are anticipated to supply solely modest power density, would discover their foremost purposes in power storage and two-wheeled EVs.

Now CATL has revealed that Chinese language automaker Chery, which focuses on low-cost subcompact automobiles, would be the first buyer to make use of CATL’s sodium-ion batteries in a manufacturing automobile. Neither firm has but provided any particulars.

Again in 2021, CATL stated that it will construct a sodium-ion battery provide chain by 2023, and that particular power of the cells would exceed 200 Wh/kg—sufficient to satisfy the wants of EVs with a variety of as much as 400 km.

CATL has proposed a blended battery pack that leverages each the upper power density of Li-ion cells and Na-ion’s advantages when it comes to price, quick charging and low-temperature efficiency. Is that what the upcoming Chery mannequin will use?

CATL isn’t the one participant within the sodium sandbox. In February, Hina Battery unveiled three sodium-ion battery cell sorts, and introduced a partnership with automaker JAC, which has reportedly constructed a take a look at automobile utilizing Na-ion cells. In March, Farasis Vitality stated it will provide Na-ion cells to carmaker JMEV.

Final November, BYD, the world’s largest EV-maker, stated that it will begin mass manufacturing of sodium-ion batteries in Q2 2023, and deploy them in three fashions: the Qin, the Dolphin, and the newly launched Seagull.  

The latter is on show on the Shanghai Auto Present, and is attracting a lot consideration for its impossibly low beginning value of 78,000 yuan ($11,300). Nonetheless, BYD says it’s geared up with a lithium iron phosphate BYD Blade battery—at the very least for now.

When will sodium-ion cells seem in a manufacturing automobile, and who can be constructing it? We await the solutions, however we do know one factor: this specific little bit of EV historical past can be made in China.

Sources: CnEVPost through Electrive, CarNewsChina