The first mass produced electric car powered by a sodium ion battery is now on Chinese roads, pairing a compact city car with chemistry that keeps roughly 90 percent of its charge even in deep subzero conditions around minus 40 C. Instead of chasing headline grabbing 400 kilometer range figures today, the launch model prioritizes affordability and cold weather reliability while pointing toward future sodium powered vehicles that could realistically exceed 400 km on a single charge. I see this as a pivotal proof of concept that shifts the EV conversation from raw range to how batteries behave in the real world, especially in harsh winters.
Behind the milestone is a broader race to commercialize sodium ion technology that can tolerate extreme temperatures from roughly minus 40 to around 80 degrees Celsius while cutting dependence on lithium. The first production car does not yet deliver 400 km in its current configuration, but the same chemistry is already being engineered for longer range packs, and early data suggests winter degradation is so small that a nominal 400 km pack would retain most of that distance even in severe cold.
How JAC and Yiwei put sodium ion on the road
The breakthrough comes from JAC Motors and its new energy brand Yiwei, which have begun delivering what they describe as the world’s first mass produced electric vehicle using a lithium free sodium ion battery. JAC Motors, a Volkswagen backed Chinese automaker, worked with cell supplier HiNa to integrate a NaCR32140 cell into a compact hatchback that targets budget buyers rather than premium early adopters, a strategy that signals confidence in the robustness of the chemistry from day one, as detailed in reporting on JAC Motors.
The sodium powered variant is sold under the Huaxia nameplate within the Yiwei lineup, and it is explicitly positioned as a sub $10,000 city car that proves sodium ion is ready for daily use. JAC Group has emphasized that safety is a top priority for the Huaxia, highlighting the chemistry’s inherent stability and the way its thermal behavior virtually eliminates winter range degradation, a claim that is central to the company’s description of the Huaxia rollout.
Cold weather performance and the -40 C claim
What sets this first sodium ion EV apart is not outright range but its ability to hold charge and deliver power in brutal cold where many lithium based packs struggle. The Huaxianzi version of the Yiwei model, equipped with sodium cells, is described as maintaining around 90 percent of its charge and usable range even in extremely cold regions, with winter range degradation characterized as negligible, according to technical notes on the Yiwei launch.
That performance is consistent with broader claims about sodium ion’s temperature window, which some battery makers describe as operating from roughly minus 40 to 80 degrees Celsius without the steep efficiency losses seen in many lithium chemistries. One industry description of early sodium packs cites a wide temperature range from minus 40 to 80 degrees, positioning the chemistry as more tolerant of both deep cold and high heat than typical lithium iron phosphate cells, a point underscored in a technical summary that highlights the 40, 80 operating band.
Range today: 230 km, not 400 km
For now, the production sodium ion Yiwei is a short range commuter car, not a 400 km cruiser, and it is important to be precise about that. The sodium ion battery equipped Yiwei model carries a pack rated at 23.2 kWh and is certified for a CLTC range of 230 km, figures that reflect its role as an urban runabout rather than a long distance tourer, according to specifications that list a 23.2 k pack and 230 km CLTC rating.
JAC Group itself frames the Huaxianzi sodium variant as a proof of concept that showcases high safety, high energy density for its class, excellent low temperature performance and long cycle life, rather than as a record setting range champion. Company materials emphasize that this delivery featured sodium ion batteries with those characteristics, and that the Huaxianzi, equipped with sodium cells, effectively renders winter range degradation negligible, a message repeated in technical descriptions of the Huaxianzi rollout.
Why sodium ion is attracting global automakers
The reason this modest city car matters far beyond China is that it validates a chemistry many global automakers now see as a key tool for cutting EV costs. Sodium ion batteries are attracting major automakers including VW, Mercedes and Stellantis, which view the technology as a way to reduce reliance on lithium while still delivering acceptable energy density and performance, according to industry overviews that list these companies among the early Key Takeaways for the sector.
Because of these advantages sodium ion batteries are being tipped to steal market share from lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, packs in budget EVs, with some projections suggesting optimized sodium configurations could support ranges in the 400 to 500 km (310 miles) bracket once pack sizes grow. Analysts point out that the chemistry’s lower cost and better cold weather behavior could make it especially attractive for smaller cars and commercial fleets, particularly in markets where winter performance is a major pain point, a view reflected in assessments that argue sodium could displace LFP in some segments.
Next generation cells and the road to 400 km
To move from a 230 km commuter to a 400 km family car, sodium ion needs higher energy density cells, and that work is already underway. China’s largest battery maker, CATL, has announced a second generation sodium ion EV battery that is designed to work even at 40°F, highlighting both cold weather resilience and improved performance compared with first generation designs, according to technical briefings that describe CATL efforts in China.
At the chemistry level, sodium ion cells already offer a compelling mix of durability and charging behavior that can support mainstream EV use once pack sizes scale up. Among their standout features are a longer lifespan of 3,000 to 6,000 cycles, faster charging than many traditional batteries, greater resistance to low temperatures and a practical energy density in the 100 to 170 Wh/kg range, according to reference data that summarizes these Among metrics.
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*This article was researched with the help of AI, with human editors creating the final content.
