- BYD said that the mass production timeline for its sodium-ion batteries will be determined based on market and customer demand.
- BYD said that sulfide solid-state batteries are expected to achieve breakthroughs in areas such as battery life and fast charging, representing an important technological direction.
BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) said it has developed sodium-ion battery products with a cycle life of up to 10,000, with mass production timing to be determined based on market and customer demand.
The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) and battery giant disclosed this information during an investor briefing, marking one of its rare mentions of sodium-ion batteries.
Currently, mainstream lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for electric vehicles have a cycle life of 2,000-3,000, while energy storage batteries can achieve up to 10,000 cycles.
BYD's sodium-ion battery R&D has reached the development stage of its third-generation product technology platform, the company said in a meeting minutes text released late Sunday night.
The company has addressed sodium precipitation issues and high-temperature challenges through innovative material design utilizing highly stable poly-anion systems and electrochemical system advancements, it said.
BYD ranks as the world's second-largest power battery manufacturer, trailing only CATL (HKG: 3750, SHE: 300750).
Its battery portfolio primarily consists of LFP batteries, while CATL's offerings include both LFP and ternary lithium batteries.
CATL launched its first-generation sodium-ion battery on July 29, 2021, sparking widespread attention for this emerging technology.
Last week, CATL and Changan jointly unveiled a passenger vehicle equipped with sodium-ion batteries, slated for release in mid-2026.
As Changan's exclusive sodium-ion battery strategic partner, CATL will supply its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries to all Changan brands, including Avatr, Deepal, Qiyuan, and UNI.
Launched in April 2025, the Naxtra sodium-ion battery boasts an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, comparable to mainstream LFP batteries.
Beyond sodium-ion batteries, BYD's meeting minutes also noted its multi-path exploration in solid-state battery technology.
Sulfide solid-state batteries hold promise for breakthroughs in battery lifespan and fast-charging capabilities, representing a key technological direction, BYD said.
Based on current R&D trends, BYD's sulfide solid-state batteries are expected to achieve small-scale production by 2027, the company reiterated, aligning with its previously communicated timeline.
Currently, three mainstream technical routes exist in the solid-state battery field: oxide, polymer, and sulfide.
