JAC Group’s NEV brand Yiwei delivers world’s first mass-produced sodium-ion-battery-powered car model

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 5, 2024, the new energy vehicle brand under JAC Group, Yiwei ("钇为"), officially handed over the world's first mass-produced vehicle equipped with sodium-ion batteries to its customers, marking a crucial step towards the industrialization of sodium-ion batteries, according to a post on Yiwei's WeChat account.

Photo credit: JAC Yiwei

This delivery featured the sodium-ion version of the Huaxianzi (translating to "Flower Fairy") model, which is powered by the 32140 sodium-ion cylindrical cells supplied by HiNA Battery. Each cell boasts a capacity of 12Ah, an energy density of ≥140Wh/kg, and follows the technological path of copper-based layered oxide plus hard carbon. The sodium-ion batteries exhibit superior characteristics, including high safety, high energy density, excellent low-temperature performance, and long cycle life.

Huaxianzi powered by sodium-ion cells; photo credit: JAC Yiwei

The Huaxianzi, equipped with sodium-ion cells, also incorporates a honeycomb battery safety structure. With a total battery pack capacity of 23.2kWh, it achieves a CLTC-rated range of 230km, with energy consumption approaching 10 kWh per 100km. Notably, sodium-ion batteries outperform lithium iron phosphate batteries in low-temperature environments, maintaining over 92% capacity retention even in freezing conditions of -20°C, rendering winter range degradation negligible.

Sodium-ion battery; photo credit: JAC Yiwei

Chairman Xia Shunli of Yiwei ("钇威") Technology, a subsidiary of GAC Group, expressed optimism, stating that sodium-ion batteries are poised to complement lithium iron phosphate batteries in the future, creating an industry landscape where cost and performance are both considered. This solution holds a promising outlook for the industry.

It has been disclosed that JAC Group's Yiwei brand will introduce a sodium-ion version with a 300km range in the second half of the year, further propelling the industrialization of sodium-ion batteries and contributing to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles among the general public.