BAIC Launches 11‑Min Sodium‑Ion EV Battery, 450 km
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- BAIC Group announced on WeChat that its R&D unit achieved its first sodium‑ion battery prototype, calling it a “significant breakthrough.”
- BAIC’s Aurora battery line now includes lithium‑ion, solid‑state, and sodium‑ion chemistries.
- Sodium‑ion battery pack uses prismatic cells with an energy density exceeding 170 Wh/kg.
- Prototype can deliver a CLTC driving range of 450 km (≈280 mi) and can be fast‑charged in 11 minutes at a 4C rate.
- CATL and Changan Automobile unveiled the world’s first mass‑produced EV with a sodium‑ion battery just over a month earlier, setting the stage for BAIC’s breakthrough.
Why it matters: The 170 Wh/kg energy density and 11‑minute 4C charge put BAIC’s sodium‑ion pack on par with many lithium‑ion cells, giving the automaker a tangible performance edge as China pushes cheaper, abundant‑material batteries for EVs. It also narrows the gap with the earlier CATL‑Changan mass‑production effort, highlighting BAIC’s rapid progress in sodium‑ion technology.
