Chinese heavy truck maker FAW Jiefang has completed a seven-month real-world test of a sodium-ion battery electric truck, marking another step in China’s push to commercialize lower-cost alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for transport.

The company conducted a full-condition, systematic trial covering more than 9,300 miles with its electric truck fleet. 

Unlike laboratory testing, the trial followed real-world service operations, exposing the battery packs to long-distance runs, repeated charging cycles, changing road conditions, and extreme weather.

The test centered on a 339 kWh sodium-ion battery pack co-developed by FAW Jiefang and Chinese battery company Zhongke Haina.

The results are being seen as an important sign that sodium-ion batteries can move beyond passenger cars and smaller vehicles into demanding commercial trucking applications.

Sodium-ion battery tested in harsh conditions

Sodium-ion batteries are gaining attention because they use more abundant and potentially cheaper materials than conventional lithium-ion batteries. That could make them attractive for electric vehicles, especially in markets where cost, supply security, and durability matter.

For heavy trucks, however, the challenge is more difficult. Commercial vehicles face high loads, long operating hours, and strict uptime demands.

Batteries must withstand frequent, fast charging, high energy output, and wide temperature swings without significant performance loss.

FAW Jiefang’s test was designed to examine those conditions. The truck fleet was operated in both high and low temperatures over nearly seven months. The sodium-ion battery system was also exposed to repeated high-frequency use rather than controlled laboratory cycles.

One of the most notable results came in extreme cold. At -40°F, the 339 kWh battery pack retained more than 90% of its usable capacity, according to the companies.

Fast charging and long cycle life

Zhongke Haina said the test also supported claims around faster charging and improved battery safety, two areas seen as crucial for commercial vehicle adoption.

“A full charge takes only 20-25 minutes, significantly reducing refueling time and effectively improving logistics and transportation efficiency. Furthermore, the battery has a cycle life exceeding 8,000 cycles under fast charging conditions, far surpassing industry standards,” read Haina’s official WeChat account.

The chemistry is also seen as having safety advantages because of its thermal stability. For heavy-duty vehicles carrying large battery packs, safety under frequent operation and heavy load remains a key concern.

China’s race to commercialize sodium batteries

The FAW Jiefang test comes as Chinese battery and vehicle companies accelerate work on sodium-ion technology. The sector is being driven by the search for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries that can balance cost, performance, safety, and supply chain resilience.

Companies including CATL and BYD are also pursuing sodium-ion batteries. CATL has reportedly committed more than $700 million to build out a 40 GWh annual sodium battery production plant in Fujian, while BYD has claimed progress on a long-life sodium battery capable of more than 10,000 charging cycles.

For FAW Jiefang, the latest test suggests sodium-ion batteries may have a role in heavy-duty electric trucks, particularly in cold regions and high-use logistics operations.

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