Sodium-ion EV battery breakthrough delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range
Recorded: March 26, 2026, 4:02 a.m.
| Original | Summarized |
Sodium-ion EV battery delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range
Skip to main content Toggle main menu Electrek Logo Go to the Electrek home page Switch site 9to5Mac Logo9to5Mac 9to5Google Logo9to5Google 9to5Toys Drone DJ LogoDroneDJ Space Explored About Privacy
Toggle social menu
Toggle dark mode Search for: Submit Toggle search form Electrek Forums Electric Vehicle Price Guide – best prices for dealers in the US Alt. Transport Ebikes Autonomy Tesla Autopilot Energy Green Energy Tesla Shop
Toggle dark mode
Sodium-ion Battery Sodium-ion EV battery breakthrough delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range 64 Comments The next generation of electric vehicle batteries is arriving, promising to be more efficient, safer, and lower cost. After another breakthrough, sodium-ion batteries for passenger EVs are nearing mass production. Sodium-ion EV batteries begin rolling out in China In an update on Tuesday, BAIC Group revealed that the sodium-ion EV battery can achieve a CLTC driving range of 450 km (280 miles), again among the industry’s best. BAIC said the sodium-ion battery maintained an energy retention rate of over 92% at -20°C (-4°F). The company announced on March 19 that it had completed a sodium-ion battery prototype and established a mass-production method for prismatic batteries. Top comment by Dirk Diggler Liked by 50 people The geopolitical aspect aside for the moment, what’s interesting is the relentless innovation happening with renewables. Renewables keeps improving year after year after year. CATL’s “Naxtra” sodium-ion batteries achieve an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, the company said, putting it on par with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews. Featured from Electrek
California regulator confirms Tesla is ‘not operating an autonomous vehicle service’
Day 1 Spring Sale Green Deals – Anker SOLIX increases power station savings up to 69%, Autel 50A smart EV charger, Lectric, more
Sodium-ion EV battery breakthrough delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range
Big Spring Sale Green Deals hub – e-bikes, e-scooters, power stations, tools, more Advertisement - scroll for more content Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast. Guides Sodium-ion Battery Author
Peter Johnson EVPeteJohnson Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising |
Sodium-ion battery technology is rapidly advancing, presenting a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). Recent breakthroughs, spearheaded by Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), are demonstrating significant capabilities, particularly in charging speed and range. BAIC’s R&D unit has successfully developed a sodium-ion battery prototype achieving a 450 kilometer (280 miles) range under China Light-Transit Cycle (CLTC) driving conditions. Crucially, this battery pack utilizes prismatic cells with an energy density exceeding 170Wh/kg, placing it competitively within the industry. The battery’s charging performance is equally noteworthy, facilitating a full charge in approximately 11 minutes with 4C ultra-fast charging. A key advantage of the BAIC’s sodium-ion battery is its robust performance across a wide temperature range, operating effectively from -40°C (-40°F) to 60°C (140°F). Specifically, the battery maintained an energy retention rate of over 92% at -20°C (-4°F), demonstrating its operational stability in colder climates. This contrasts with conventional lithium-ion batteries that can experience significant performance degradation at lower temperatures. The development follows a similar achievement by CATL, who showcased their sodium-ion batteries within the Changan Nevo A06. CATL’s chief technology officer, Gao Huan, highlighted the significance of these advancements, emphasizing their potential to enhance resilience, broaden operational temperature ranges, and promote sustainable growth in electrification. BAIC’s sodium-ion batteries will initially be incorporated into a 45-kWh battery pack for passenger EVs, projected to provide up to 400 km (248 miles) range under CLTC standards. Looking ahead, CATL anticipates range improvements to potentially reach 500-600 km (310-372 miles) as battery technology continues to evolve. The adoption of sodium-ion batteries is being driven by several factors. Sodium is a more abundant and less price-sensitive material than lithium, offering a viable solution to rising lithium costs. Companies like CATL, BYD, and others are strategically investing in sodium-ion technology to mitigate this price volatility and fuel continued growth in the EV market. Global sodium-ion battery shipments reached 9 GWh in 2024, representing a remarkable 150% increase from 2023. Projections indicate that shipments will exceed 1,000 GWh within the next four years, reflecting the significant potential of this technology. |