Chery partner sodium battery production has started at Chaowei Group’s new plant in Anqing. The facility began operations on June 13, 2026. According to industry disclosure from CBEA, the project marks a major step in expanding lower-cost battery supply for Electric Vehicles. Moreover, the new site strengthens domestic battery manufacturing and supports growing demand in affordable EV segments.
Chaowei Group built the project through its production arm, Anqing Chaoren Energy Technology. The company invested 3.5 billion yuan, or about 517.65 million USD, in the development. At the first stage, the plant targets annual capacity of 2GWh. In the next phase, the wider factory setup can support total planned capacity of 6.5GWh. As a result, Chery gains access to a larger Sodium-ion Battery supply base for future vehicle programs.
Chery partner sodium battery plant begins volume production
The launch of this factory matters because sodium-ion batteries are moving from pilot projects into industrial production. Chaowei’s Anqing plant now gives Chery’s supply chain a dedicated source for lithium-free battery components. In addition, the project focuses on low-temperature traction cells, which can support practical EV use in colder conditions.
The start of production also shows how quickly China’s battery sector is scaling sodium-ion technology. CATL and Changan have already signaled plans for sodium battery platforms in entry-level vehicles. Therefore, Chaowei’s move adds another important manufacturing base to this fast-growing segment. For Chery, the development may help secure battery supply for cost-sensitive models while improving pricing flexibility.
Chery partner sodium battery project investment and capacity
The headline figure behind the project is its 3.5 billion yuan investment. That equals roughly 517.65 million USD at the reported conversion. This level of spending highlights the confidence that suppliers place in sodium-ion battery demand. Furthermore, the initial 2GWh annual output gives the site meaningful scale from day one.
Capacity matters because it shapes how fast new battery chemistry can reach production vehicles. A 2GWh starting point can support a sizable number of smaller electric cars, city EVs, and entry-level applications. Meanwhile, the full 6.5GWh setup offers room for later expansion. That future capacity can help reduce per-unit manufacturing costs as production grows.
Chery partner sodium battery supply chain and hard carbon materials
Hard carbon remains a key material in sodium-ion battery production. Unlike Lithium-ion chemistry, sodium-ion cells do not use standard graphite anodes in the same way. Since sodium ions are larger than lithium ions, manufacturers use hard carbon to support battery performance and cost goals. Consequently, hard carbon supply has become a major area of investment.
Chinese suppliers are now scaling two main hard-carbon routes. Some companies develop synthetic-resin-based materials for higher performance targets. Others use coal-derived feedstock to reduce costs and increase local supply. For example, Wanhua Chemical is working on parallel programs for different vehicle strategies. One premium synthetic phenolic resin route reaches specific capacity of 335 mAh/g and supports 10C continuous discharge.
At the same time, lower-cost coal-based hard carbon offers another advantage. It uses abundant local byproducts and supports more economical battery production. Industry records showed hard carbon prices at 60,000 yuan to 70,000 yuan per ton in 2024. New projections now point to 35,000 yuan per ton. That equals about 5,176.50 USD per ton. As prices move lower, sodium-ion batteries can become even more attractive for mass-market vehicles.
Chery partner sodium battery economics support affordable EVs
Cost control stands at the center of sodium-ion battery growth. Lower hard carbon prices can help manufacturers move toward a target baseline of 40,000 yuan, or around 5,916 USD, for key cost benchmarks. Because battery cost directly affects EV pricing, these savings can support more competitive entry-level cars. In turn, Chery and its partners can serve broader customer groups in urban and budget-focused segments.
Local supply expansion also supports this trend. Shaanxi Coal recently received approval for a 5,073,400 yuan plant conversion project. The project will produce 1,000 tonnes of hard carbon each year. This type of upstream investment gives battery makers more stable domestic supply. It also helps manufacturers align raw material production with growing cell output from plants like the new Chaowei facility in Anqing.
Chery partner sodium battery strategy gains momentum in 2026
The start of production in Anqing gives Chery’s supply network an important new asset in 2026. Chaowei’s plant combines a 517.65 million USD investment, 2GWh initial annual capacity, and expansion potential to 6.5GWh. Just as importantly, it links cell production with a rapidly improving hard carbon supply chain inside China.
Overall, Chery partner sodium battery production in Anqing shows how sodium-ion technology is becoming more practical at scale. The project adds supply security, supports affordable EV development, and strengthens the industrial base for next-generation batteries. As production ramps up, this plant could play a central role in bringing sodium-ion batteries into more mainstream electric vehicles.
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