Three Chinese firms, BYD, Chery and JAC, plan on releasing these next-generation sodium-ion cars for public sale later this year.
Downside of sodium batteries is shorter range of 200 to 300 kilometres compared to 300 and 500 for lithium batteries. That’s perfect for people whose main journeys are to work or school or to nearby towns, but who don’t make road trips across the country.
If the main downside is just range, then I think these could still sell well. The top-selling electric car in China is (or was a couple years ago - I haven’t checked if it’s changed) a cheap mini car with a range of 120-170km.
I think so as well, also a perfect use case for stuff like buses that go on a fixed route.