BAIC Develops Sodium-Ion Battery That Can Be Fully Charged in 11 Minutes

Jakarta (ANTARA) - As the use of alternative battery technology expands among Chinese car manufacturers, BAIC has revealed new progress in developing a sodium-ion battery that supports a full charge in 11 minutes.

According to the Car News China website on Friday (20/3) local time, BAIC’s research division stated that the company has completed the development of a sodium-ion battery sample, with technical indicators said to reach industry-leading levels.

The battery uses a prismatic cell format and achieves an energy density of 170 Wh/kg, according to internal testing.

The company stated that the battery can withstand up to 200 percent overcharging without fire or explosion, and remains stable when exposed to 200 degrees during thermal abuse testing.

BAIC added that they have built capabilities in electrolyte formulation, cell design, and system integration, while addressing challenges in energy density and cycle performance.

Sodium-ion batteries are being evaluated across China’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem as a complementary solution for cost-sensitive segments and low-temperature applications.

Compared to lithium iron phosphate batteries, sodium-ion systems typically offer better raw material availability and cold-weather stability, while facing limitations in energy density.

No official vehicle applications or launch timelines have been disclosed for BAIC’s sodium-ion battery. The technology appears to still be in the pre-commercial phase based on available information.

BAIC stated it will continue investing in sodium-ion battery materials, system integration, and vehicle adaptation. The next phases to watch are vehicle-level implementation and real-world validation as Chinese automakers begin transitioning sodium-ion technology from development to early production programmes.