JAC Group’s Yiwei, a brand new EV model in China backed by Volkswagen, debuted the primary sodium-ion battery-powered electrical automobile. The brand new JAC Yiwei EV rolled off the meeting line Wednesday.
Yiwei is a brand new EV maker below the JAC Group. It was established earlier this yr. Volkswagen owns 50% of JAC’s dad or mum firm, the opposite 50% is state-owned.
Volkswagen invested 1 billion euros for a 50% stake in JAC Group in 2021. The German automaker additionally took full management of administration of its current EV three way partnership with a 75% stake.
The brand new EV options sodium-ion cylindrical cells from HiNa Battery. The Beijing-based tech firm is affiliated with the Institute of Physics of the Chinese language Academy of Sciences.
It would use JAC’s UE module tech, a honey-comb battery construction. JAC’s UE is just like BYD’s Blade battery, which is utilized in Toyota, Kia, and Ford EVs. It can be in comparison with CATL’s CTP (cell-to-pack) expertise.
Deliveries of the brand new sodium battery-powered Yiwei electrical automobile are anticipated to start subsequent month.
First sodium-ion battery-powered EV rolls out
JAC launched the Yiwei 3, the primary EV powered by sodium-ion battery on the Shanghai Auto Present in February. Nonetheless, the mannequin launched with an LFP battery with JAC promising a sodium-ion model was coming.
The automaker additionally revealed the sodium-ion battery powered Sehol E10X that includes 25 kWh capability and 120 Wh/kg vitality density. With 3C to 4C charging, the electrical hatchback may recharge (10% – 80% in 20 minutes).
Volkswagen transferred the Sehol model to JAC in 2021. Earlier this yr, JAC mentioned all automobiles would put on both a JAC or Yiwei badge.
Though sodium-ion batteries have a decrease vitality density than lithium ion, they do provide a number of benefits. In response to JAC, they’ve higher low-temperature efficiency, charging pace, an extended lifespan, and are extra sturdy over time.
Maybe, most significantly, the batteries use cheaper uncooked supplies, which might allow decrease EV costs.
“Sodium-ion batteries will turn into an vital battery sort, complementary to LFP batteries, and a low-cost answer that promotes the popularization of mass electrical automobiles to lots,” Chairman of Yiwei Tech, Xia Shunli mentioned.
Supply: CarNewsChina
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.