Caption: FAW Jiefang J6P electric heavy truck undergoing winter road trials powered by a 339 kWh HiNa sodium-ion battery pack. Credit: FAW Jiefang
Understand China EV’s Market
Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released
All important data in one place
2,000,000+ data points
Become a member
A Chinese electric heavy truck equipped with a sodium-ion battery retained more than 90% of its usable capacity at minus 40°C during testing providing evidence of the chemistry’s low-temperature performance in heavy-duty vehicles. Hina Battery is expanding its commercial vehicle push, with a planned 10 GWh production base in Wuhan and a partnership to develop electric sanitation trucks
The expansion comes as China introduces a consumption tax on specified lithium-ion batteries while exempting qualifying sodium-ion batteries through 2028. The policy gives the alternative chemistry a temporary tax advantage, even as falling lithium prices have narrowed its potential cost advantage over lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
China creates a tax gap between lithium and sodium batteries
China’s Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs and State Taxation Administration issued Announcement No. 20 (2026) on July 16, revising consumption tax treatment for several battery categories.
From September 1, 2026, specified lithium-ion batteries became subject to a 2% consumption tax, rising to 4% on September 1, 2027. Sodium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries and fuel cells are exempt through December 31, 2028, provided they meet applicable national standards.
The tax difference comes as lower lithium prices put pressure on sodium-ion’s potential cost advantage. On October 28, battery-grade lithium carbonate averaged around 97,000 yuan (13,500 USD) per tonne, while square LFP cells for electric vehicles averaged 0.41 yuan (0.057 USD) per Wh on October 22. The exemption gives qualifying sodium-ion batteries a tax advantage, but does not establish that they are cheaper to manufacture than LFP batteries.
Sodium-ion also offers a different raw-material supply profile. Sodium-based feedstocks are more geographically distributed than lithium reentrated in China, including cell, cathode and hard-carbon production
Hina takes sodium-ion technology into commercial fleets
Hina signed an agreement with Wuhan’s Jiangxia District on October 14 to establish a sodium-ion battery production base with a planned annual capacity of 10 GWh. Signed during the fourth National Sodium Battery Symposium, the agreement covers a first phase of 3 GWh. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with initial production expected before the end of that year.
Under a separate agreement, Hina and Chengli Special Automobile Group will develop sodium-ion-powered sanitation vehicles, including refuse collection, hook-lift, dust-suppression and food-waste collection trucks.
The partners expect to submit an initial chassis approval application in early 2027. After prototype development, they plan demonstration vehicles, followed by vehicle approval and small-volume orders. Wuhan is expected to host the initial demonstrations.
Sanitation and engineering trucks offer potential early applications because their chassis can accommodate larger battery systems and their defined operating routes allow performance to be assessed under specific working conditions. Passenger cars face different requirements, particularly for energy density and packaging.
Heavy trucks provide a proving ground for sodium-ion batteries
Energy density remains a limitation compared with established lithium-ion batteries. Hina’s published specifications for its sodium-ion products list a gravimetric energy density of at least 145 Wh/kg and an operating temperature range of minus 40 to 80 degrees Celsius.
The company has already tested the technology in heavy-duty vehicles. In June 2026, a battery-electric FAW Jiefang J6P tractor equipped with a 339 kWh Hina sodium-ion battery completed nearly seven months of testing and more than 15,000 km of driving. At minus 40 degrees Celsius, FAW Jiefang reported that the battery retained more than 90% of its usable capacity.
In August, Hina and Tonly Heavy Industries delivered an electric mining truck equipped with a 676 kWh sodium-ion battery system to the Tangshan Sanyou mine in Hebei Province.
These deployments show sodium-ion technology entering heavy-duty applications, where low-temperature performance, frequent charging and high battery utilisation can be important. They do not establish its suitability for every electric vehicle segment.
Hard-carbon anodes remain a cost challenge
Sodium is abundant, but inexpensive raw materials do not automatically translate into cheaper battery cells. Commercial sodium-ion batteries commonly use hard-carbon anodes made from coal, biomass and other carbon-rich feedstocks. Producing hard carbon with the required structure and electrochemical properties involves controlled processing, adding cost and manufacturing complexity.
Sodium-ion batteries have yet to establish a consistent cost advantage over LFP. Their lower energy density may also require larger or heavier battery packs to deliver comparable vehicle range, making their commercial
China sets new safety requirements for sodium-ion batteries
China is also establishing technical requirements for sodium-ion batteries. GB/T 48072-2026, published on August 28, specifies safety requirements for sodium-ion cells and batteries used in electrical energy storage systems. It is scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2027.
The standard covers stationary energy storage, not automotive traction batteries, and is not an electric vehicle approval standard. Separately, the tax exemption requires qualifying products to meet applicable national standards.
Everyone’s a China auto expert lately.
Trusted by industry professionals for 16 years. See the information you trust first: Add CarNewsChina as a preferredery
Recommended for you
Engineers named ten automotive technology trends in China for 2027Five-door FAW Bestune Pony launched in China at 6,735 USDVolkswagen’s Jetta M6 EV launched in China with up to 555 km range, starting at 11,900 USD
Most important news in your inbox.
Recaps· scheduled
All you need, in one email.
Instant alerts· real-time
Ping me when an article goes live.
0 of 27 topics selected
Bundle into one email per day— instead of one email per article
Follow us for ev updates
