BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electrified vehicles, has announced the construction of its first sodium-ion battery factory in Xuzhou, China.
Although lithium remains the most popular technology for electric vehicles, the demand for more efficient materials and sustainable alternatives for batteries has led BYD to invest in a sodium-ion battery factory, with an investment of approximately €1.3 million.
The new facility will have a production capacity of 30 GWh/year, equivalent to 1.5 million electric vehicles, making it one of the largest factories in the world.
To advance this project, BYD has partnered with Huaihai Holding Group through its specialized battery division, FinDreams, to build the new gigafactory.
It is worth noting that sodium, one of the most common elements on Earth, can be seen as a viable alternative due to its low-cost solution that complements LFP batteries. This technology is particularly suitable for compact vehicles or entry-level versions, due to its lower energy density.
The advantages of this technology have recently led Chinese automaker JAC Motors, which is 75% owned by VW, to announce the production of the Yiwei EV, the first electric vehicle equipped with a sodium-ion battery.
