JAC Motors Launches Groundbreaking Sodium-Ion Battery Electric Vehicle
JAC Motors, a prominent Chinese automaker with backing from Volkswagen, is poised to introduce a groundbreaking development in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The company will unveil the first mass-produced EV equipped with a sodium-ion battery, debuting under its new Yiwei brand. Despite the relatively lower density and maturity of sodium-ion battery technology compared to lithium-ion, its advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, abundant supply, and superior cold-weather performance could prove instrumental in accelerating the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
According to reports from CarNewsChina, deliveries of the JAC Yiwei EV hatchback are scheduled to commence in January, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry’s pursuit of innovative and sustainable solutions.
The Yiwei brand, introduced by JAC in 2023, signifies a new era for the company. Volkswagen holds a substantial 75 percent stake in JAC and exercises management control, while also owning 50 percent of JAC’s parent company, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Holdings (JAG). The peculiar partnership involves the Chinese government owning the remaining half of JAG, making it a distinctive collaboration in the automotive landscape.
The Yiwei EV, seemingly a rebranded version of the Sehol E10X hatchback, boasts impressive specifications. Described by CarNewsChina, the Sehol model offers a range of 252 km (157 miles) with a 25 kWh capacity, 120 Wh/kg energy density, 3C to 4C charging capability, and utilizes HiNa NaCR32140 cells. JAC’s decision to rebrand its vehicles under either the JAC or Yiwei label aligns with its May announcement, leading to the unveiling of the Yiwei-branded EV this week. The specific model designation, whether retaining the E10X moniker, is yet to be confirmed by JAC.
In April, JAC presented another EV, the Yiwei 3, at the Shanghai Auto Show. The initial model, launched in June, featured an LFP lithium battery, with the promise of a sodium-ion variant to follow suit.
The newly revealed Yiwei EV relies on cylindrical sodium-ion cells sourced from HiNA Battery. JAC assembles these batteries in the company’s modular UE (Unitized Encapsulation) honeycomb structure, a layout similar to CATL’s CTP (cell-to-pack) and BYD’s Blade. This design enhances stability and performance, showcasing JAC’s commitment to advancing EV technology.
