In a recent development, Chinese technology company Transimage has announced that its battery subsidiary, Transimage Sodium-ion Battery Technology, has successfully secured an order for sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries from a renowned German carmaker. The specific identity of the customer has not been disclosed due to a non-disclosure agreement, but various details strongly indicate that the customer in question might be Volkswagen.
According to the Chinese publication CNEVPost, the unnamed German carmaker is a “globally recognized automaker headquartered in Germany with a portfolio of well-known car brands.” The order is reportedly for a relatively small quantity of sodium-ion cells, presumably for testing purposes in the customer’s passenger cars.
See also: Chery to be First to Use CATL’s Sodium-Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicles
Transimage Sodium-ion Battery Technology is already engaged in mass-producing sodium-ion batteries, boasting a capacity of 4.5 GWh as of the end of March. The company produced 3.69 million cylindrical cells in the first half of the year, with the majority being in the 18650 format, along with 163,900 round cells of the 26700 model. These batteries are specifically designed for lower-power, light electric vehicles, such as small cars, two- and three-wheelers, due to their advantages in fast-charging capability and stability at low temperatures.
Sodium-ion batteries offer an intriguing alternative to the prevalent lithium-ion batteries due to their reliance on sodium, a more abundant and cost-effective raw material. Although these batteries possess several advantages, such as fast-charging capability and low-temperature stability, challenges in their development remain, particularly related to material structure stability.
See also: CATL and BYD Plan to Introduce Sodium-Ion Batteries in EVs by Year-End
It is important to note that sodium-ion batteries are currently seeing application in the two-wheelers market in China, with CATL announcing plans for production to commence in 2023. Additionally, Chery, a specialist in micro cars, has committed to becoming the first automaker to use CATL’s sodium-ion batteries.
While the identity of the German carmaker remains undisclosed officially, industry speculations lean towards Volkswagen as the potential customer, given its subsidiary PowerCo’s involvement in the global battery business. If true, this development suggests Volkswagen’s interest in exploring smaller and more affordable vehicles, potentially targeting the growing market for electric cars in densely populated urban areas, where smaller and energy-efficient vehicles have an advantage.
As the world awaits further updates, this collaboration between Transimage Sodium-ion Battery Technology and the unnamed German carmaker signifies progress in the adoption of sodium-ion battery technology and its potential impact on the future of electric mobility.
