Chinese EV Maker Explores Sodium-Ion Batteries as Cheaper Lithium Alternative
High lithium prices have spurred the development of sodium-ion cells even though lithium carbonate has weakened by around 30% from its November peak.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
Chinese electric carmaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. is experimenting with short-range sodium-ion batteries for its vehicles as a cheaper alternative to lithium cells, according to a statement Thursday.
State-backed JAC, as the automaker is better known, has turned to HiNa Battery Technologies Co. for the cells. HiNa was founded in 2017 and focuses specifically on sodium-ion batteries, which have a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries but which are generally considered safer because they’re nonflammable and less susceptible to temperature changes.