BAIC Group revealed its sodium-ion battery prototype can achieve a 450 km driving range under real-world conditions and recharge in just 11 minutes using 4C ultra-fast charging. The company's Aurora series battery pack features prismatic cells with an energy density exceeding 170 Wh/kg, placing it among industry leaders. Crucially, the battery maintains performance across an extreme temperature range from -40°C to 60°C, retaining over 92% energy at -20°C.

This breakthrough comes shortly after CATL showcased its sodium-ion batteries in the Changan Nevo A06, highlighting rapid progress in the technology. Sodium-ion batteries offer a lower-cost alternative to lithium, driving interest from Chinese manufacturers facing rising lithium prices. Global shipments of sodium-ion batteries surged 150% last year, reaching 9 GWh, with projections exceeding 1,000 GWh over the next four years.