Yiwei Announces World's First Sodium-ion Battery-Oriented Mass Production

JAKARTA - Yiwei, a new electric vehicle brand under the auspices of Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC), has started mass production of electric cars with sodium-ion battery technology, making it the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle to use this type of battery.

Reporting from the Carnewschina page, Thursday, December 28, Yiwei EV, which is included in the Hatchback segment, will adopt a cylinder-shaped sodium-ion battery package from Beijing-based HiNa Battery. This battery uses JAC's EU (United Encapsulation) module technology and has a concept known as a "chip nest", similar to CATL batteries.

Earlier, in February 2023, JAC announced that it was the first car manufacturer to install sodium-ion batteries (without lithium) on electric vehicles, namely the E10X Sehol hatchback. However, the Sehol brand was replaced by Yiwei.

At the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, Yiwei showcased his first car with the Yiwei brand, namely Yiwei 3, which is equipped with a sodium-ion battery. Although information about the brand's name is limited, it is confirmed that deliveries will begin in January 2024.

"The sodium-ion battery will be an important type of battery, complement the LFP battery, and a low-cost solution that encourages the popularity of mass electric vehicles in the wider community," said Xia Shunli, Chairman of Yiwei.

Although the sodium-ion battery does not offer a long range of lithium-ion batteries, the advantages of more affordable materials can make it a low-cost solution. This is expected to make the price of electric cars more affordable, supporting the adoption of electric vehicles in the community.