Beijing Automotive Group has released further details on its newly developed sodium-ion battery, highlighting performance metrics and safety features as competition intensifies among automakers exploring alternatives to lithium-based batteries.
The announcement follows BAIC's earlier disclosure that it had completed development of a prototype, marking progress in its Battery platform, which now spans lithium, solid-state and sodium-ion chemistries.
BAIC said the sodium-ion battery supports 4C ultra-fast charging, enabling rapid energy replenishment in around 11 minutes. The company also emphasised the battery's performance in extreme conditions, noting that it can operate in temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, while maintaining 92% power output at minus 20 degrees Celsius.
By eliminating lithium and incorporating biomass-based hard carbon materials, BAIC said the battery could reduce pack costs by about 15% compared with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The company said it has developed a smart charging strategy to mitigate the risk of sodium metal deposition during high-rate charging, while also using digital modelling to shorten development cycles and improve accuracy in performance prediction.
In safety testing, the battery did not catch fire or explode when overcharged to 200% or exposed to temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius, exceeding current Chinese national standards, according to the company.
BAIC said the current performance level would be suitable for A-segment family vehicles and daily commuting needs, suggesting potential future commercialization in mass-market models.
The development comes as other major players, including CATL and BYD, accelerate efforts to scale sodium-ion battery production, signaling a broader industry shift toward diversified battery technologies.