Recently, two models equipped with sodium-ion batteries have appeared in the market. They are the NEQ7000BEVJH11L electric vehicle under Chery brand and the JX7001ESMBEV electric vehicle under Yichin brand, both owned by Chery Automobile and Jiangling Motors Corporation Group respectively. This may indicate that mass production of sodium-ion battery vehicles is imminent.
Although the specific parameters of the sodium-ion batteries have not been further disclosed for the currently publicized models, the available information shows that both vehicles belong to the small microcar segment.
"Compared to mainstream lithium-ion battery vehicles, sodium-ion battery vehicles have lower energy density. However, sodium-ion battery vehicles have strong cost advantages, and with the maturity of sodium-ion battery technology, these vehicles may become the preferred choice for micro new energy vehicles priced below 100,000 yuan in the coming years."
The newly publicized Chery NEQ7000BEVJH11L is classified as an A00-class pure electric sedan with a top speed of 100 km/h. The sodium-ion batteries used in this vehicle are supplied by CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited). On the other hand, the publicized model from Jiangling Motors, the JX7001ESMBEV, is an A0-class pure electric sedan under the Yichin brand. It also has a top speed of 100 km/h and uses sodium-ion batteries from Funeng Technology.
A00-class and A0-class are vehicle classifications based on wheelbase, and they are also known as microcars and small cars, respectively. The total mass of the Chery sodium-ion battery vehicle is 1064 kg, while the Jiangling sodium-ion battery vehicle has a total mass of 1380 kg. Both vehicles have a seating capacity of four people, including the driver.
Although the specific data of the sodium-ion batteries used by the two companies have not been disclosed in this announcement, the sodium-ion battery technology from their respective battery partners has been previously announced.
Prior to the Shanghai Auto Show this year, CATL officially released the sodium-ion battery technology that they have been developing for years, and announced the first model to be equipped with their sodium-ion batteries, which is produced by Chery. Chery also collaborated with CATL to launch the battery brand "ENER-Q."
CATL is recognized as a leading company in the domestic sodium-ion battery industry. As early as 2021, CATL had already released the first generation of sodium-ion batteries, with a single-cell energy density reaching 160 Wh/kg, the highest level globally at that time.
Funeng Technology has also announced its collaboration with Jiangling Group on sodium-ion batteries. The company stated that it expects to achieve mass production in the second half of this year and cooperate with well-known A00-class vehicle customers and other two-wheeler customers in China. The energy density of Funeng Technology's sodium-ion pouch-type power battery has been increased to 155 Wh/kg. Additionally, the second generation of their sodium-ion batteries is in the experimental stage, with an energy density increased by more than 10% compared to the first generation.
In the past two years, China's new energy vehicle market has experienced rapid growth, with annual sales increasing from 1.367 million vehicles in 2020 to 6.887 million vehicles in 2022, accounting for more than one-fourth of the total new car sales. However, the development of new energy vehicles in China still faces the challenges of imbalanced and insufficient development. Factors such as low-temperature adaptability of power batteries and insufficient charging and swapping facilities have resulted in a relatively lagging promotion and application of new energy vehicles in regions like Northeast China and Northwest China, and the rural market has not been fully tapped.
According to publicly available information, the first generation of CATL's sodium-ion battery has a single-cell energy density of 160 Wh/kg. It can be charged to over 80% capacity in 15 minutes at room temperature and maintains over 90% of its discharge capacity in -20°C low-temperature conditions. The system integration rate can reach over 80%, and its thermal stability exceeds national standards. The development target for the next generation of sodium-ion batteries is an energy density of over 200 Wh/kg. Funeng Technology's sodium-ion pouch-type power battery has already achieved an energy density of 155 Wh/kg, with a cycle life of over 2000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge, and still maintains over 90% capacity retention under -20°C low-temperature conditions.
