Volkswagen-backed Chinese automaker Jianghuai Automobile will launch the first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) using sodium-ion batteries through its new Yiwei brand. Although sodium-ion battery technology is less dense (and less mature) than lithium-ion batteries, its lower cost, greater supply, and superior cold-weather performance may help accelerate mass adoption of electric vehicles. China Auto News According to reports, JAC Yiwei EV hatchback will begin delivery in January.
Yiwei is a new brand launched by JAC Motors in 2023. Volkswagen owns 75% of JAC’s shares (and management control) and owns 50% of JAC’s parent company, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (JAG). The Chinese government owns the other half of JAG, one of the auto industry’s most unfamiliar combinations.
The Yiwei EV appears to be a rebranded version of the Sehol E10X hatchback (pictured above) launched earlier this year. China Auto News According to reports, the Sehol model has a cruising range of 252 kilometers (157 miles), a capacity of 25 kWh, an energy density of 120 Wh/kg, supports 3C to 4C charging, and uses HiNa NaCR32140 batteries. When JAC launched the Yiwei brand in May, it said it would drop the Sehol label and rename all its vehicles as JAC or Yiwei, which brings us to this week’s electric vehicle launches. JAC Motors has not revealed whether the Yiwei brand models will retain the E10X name.
In April, JAC Motors showcased an independent electric vehicle called Yiwei 3 at the Shanghai Auto Show. The model launched in June with an LFP lithium battery, with a sodium-ion battery model promised to follow later.
It is reported that the new Yiwei electric vehicle uses cylindrical sodium-ion batteries from Haina Battery. JAC assembles the batteries in the company’s modular UE (unit package) honeycomb structure, similar to CATL’s CTP (battery pack) and BYD’s Blade. This layout provides greater stability and performance.
This article was originally published on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/the-first-ev-with-a-lithium-free-sodium-battery-hits-the-road-in-january-214828536.html?src= rss
Source link
