China has exported 5,000 units of the E10X small electric car, equipped with sodium-ion batteries, to Central and South America. This marks the first shipment of electric cars with sodium-ion batteries from China and signifies a new era in electric vehicle technology.
The news was reported by Car News China, which referenced a ceremony at JAC’s Smart Factory in China to commemorate the first export batch of Yiwei electric cars for Central and South America. Yiwei, founded in 2023, is a successor to the joint venture brand Sehol from JAC and Volkswagen Anhui. The brand announced at the beginning of the year that its new small electric car would be equipped with a sodium-ion battery.
A total of 10,000 Yiwei electric vehicles will be shipped to Central and South America, with 5,000 units each featuring LFP (lithium iron phosphate) and sodium-ion batteries. The Yiwei 3 model, measuring 4 meters in length and equipped with an LFP battery, is powered by a 70 or 100 kW electric motor and a 41 or 51.5 kWh battery. The E10X, the new electric vehicle with a sodium-ion battery, is 3.65 meters long and has an energy content of 23.2 kWh, providing a range of 230 kilometers according to the Chinese standard. A version with a range of 300 kilometers is expected to be released in the second half of 2024.
Yiwei’s transition from Sehol, the former joint venture brand with Volkswagen Anhui, reflects the evolving landscape of the electric vehicle market. Volkswagen Anhui, previously part of the JAC-Volkswagen joint venture, acquired a majority stake, leading to the rebranding of the joint venture without JAC in its name.
The sodium-ion batteries used in the JAC Yiwei EV are supplied by Hina Battery. The partnership between Hina Battery and Sehol began almost a year ago when they presented a test vehicle based on the Sehol EX10 with sodium-ion batteries. JAC announced its decision to abandon the Sehol name and rename all vehicles under the JAC or Yiwei brand when introducing the Yiwei brand in May 2023.
Xia Shunli, Chairman of Yiwei, highlighted the importance of sodium-ion batteries, calling them a cost-effective solution that will promote the mass adoption of electric vehicles. He emphasized that sodium-ion batteries will complement LFP batteries, indicating their potential to revolutionize the electric vehicle market.
The export of electric cars with sodium-ion batteries from China to Central and South America represents a significant milestone in the global transition to sustainable transportation, showcasing China’s leadership in electric vehicle technology and innovation.
