This year, the Chinese sodium battery market will go from a hyping up to sobering. The products are estimated to mature by 2026, while TWh capacity is expected by 2030, general manager of Hina Battery said last week after the first standardized testing of sodium cells submitted by 17 Chinese manufacturers. The GM should know what he is talking about as Hina is the first and the leading Chinese sodium battery developer. The startup began in 2017 with 48V/10Ah sodium cell used in an electric bicycle. Its current sodium cell reaches 145Wh/kg in a lab, 15Wh/kg less than CATL’s sodium competitor. The developer cooperates with JAC SOL on a battery for automaker’s E10X model.
The China Electronic Standardization Institute test of 17 samples showed an average energy density at 104.1Wh/kg, with maximum at 129.2Wh/kg and minimum at 60Wh/kg, all below 140-160Wh/kg range that previously circulated in the local media reports and OEM’s marketing brochures. The leading four OEMs tested density was 120-130Wh/kg. It needs to be added that over 40% of the participants did not pass the “unofficial puncture test” as CESI report named it.
The results poured a cold water over speculators as the tests confirmed industry’s consensus on sodium needing 2-3 years before it becomes competitive with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) in A-size and larger vehicle sizes. Although, most of the cell production line is compatible with lithium lines, research reports name product development as the biggest obstacle to a wider use in mid- and high-end EV markets.
JAC SOL E10X
The CESI tested densities showed why the government’s policies set the first steps for sodium in energy storage, LSEVs and low end EVs. Despite density being much lower compared to LFP’s 150Wh/kg, when compared to lead acid batteries’ 30-50Wh/kg range, sodium comes up as a sure winner. So, it should not be surprise that Tailg manager estimated 20%-40% sodium penetration in 2-wheelers by 2025, while MIIT and other experts see high rate penetrations in the very territory of lead acid batteries – 2-wheelers, LSEVs and A00 EVs, which should serve as a testing ground for mid-end products, namely A-size EVs.
The first traces of sodium taking on low end EVs could have been seen in a recent MIIT new auto model catalog that showed Chery and JMEV sodium EV models getting ready for mass production. Chery’s A00 Ice Cream EV uses CATL’s battery and offers 100km/h top speed, while JMEV A0 EV 3 uses Farasis’ sodium product and offers the same top speed. There are also announcements of Huayang Group and Hina joint venture supplying cells for Xinri 2-wheelers. 2023 should see around 3,000 units delivered. Based on the earlier estimates, the Chinese sodium market will produce 3-6GWh of sodium cells, enough to support 30,000-50,000 units this year.
Source: Jiemian, Eastmoney
Keyword: Sodium battery makers aim at lead acid while eyeing lithium-ion