What is sodium-ion battery technology and which Chinese EVs use it?
Updated 2026-05-186 min read
Sodium-ion is being positioned as the future cheap chemistry for A-segment city EVs and stationary storage.
01
How sodium-ion works
Same architecture as lithium-ion but with sodium ions moving between cathode and anode.
Cathode: Prussian white or layered oxide. Anode: hard carbon.
02
Production models
JAC Yiwei EV (2024): 25 kWh sodium-ion, 250 km CLTC.
Chery iCar V23 sodium-ion variant (2025).
BYD Seagull sodium-ion (2026 planned).
03
Trade-offs
Energy density: 30% lower than LFP → larger pack for same range.
Cost: 20–30% cheaper per kWh than LFP.
Cold weather: -20°C performance vastly superior to LFP.
Key takeaways
- 01Sodium-ion is real and shipping in 2024–26 A-segment EVs.
- 0230% cheaper, 30% less dense than LFP.
- 03Best-in-class cold-weather performance.
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