FAW Jiefang, the heavy-duty truck division of FAW Group, has completed comprehensive testing of a new energy commercial vehicle powered by sodium-ion battery technology. Developed in partnership with HiNa Battery, the project validated performance across diverse operational scenarios, addressing challenges related to cold-weather capacity retention and rapid charging.
The test platform was a Jiefang J6P pure electric tractor fitted with a 339 kWh sodium-ion battery pack. Over a seven-month period, the truck covered more than 15,000 km under real-world conditions. In extreme cold—temperatures down to –40 °C—the battery retained over 90 percent of its usable capacity, demonstrating suitability for logistics operations in high-latitude regions. The system also achieved full recharging in 20–25 minutes, supporting fast turnaround times for commercial applications.
Durability trials under fast-charging conditions showed that the sodium-ion battery sustained more than 8,000 cycles, exceeding typical industry benchmarks. These results highlight the technology’s potential to improve uptime and reduce total cost of ownership for heavy-duty electric fleets.
This development aligns with China’s broader policy framework for new energy heavy-duty trucks (NE-HDTs). In early 2025, 11 government agencies—including the Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission—issued an implementation plan aiming to raise NE-HDT market penetration to 40 percent by 2030. Under the plan, the total number of new energy heavy-duty trucks on Chinese roads is expected to exceed 1.6 million units, representing roughly 20 percent of the country’s heavy-duty fleet.
HiNa Battery, a Chinese specialist in sodium-ion chemistry, holds core patents covering cathode materials (Na-Cu-Fe-Mn-O), anode materials based on anthracite-derived soft carbon, and associated manufacturing processes. The company reports energy densities of 155–165 Wh/kg and targets applications in large-scale energy storage, low-speed and commercial electric vehicles, and security systems.
Source: CarNewsChina
