The range of applications for sodium-ion batteries is expanding in China. Following their use in stationary energy storage systems, passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks, Hina Battery and Tonly Heavy Industries have now delivered what they describe as the world’s first battery-electric dump truck powered by a sodium-ion battery. The vehicle was handed over to mining company Sanyou Mining in July and will generate real-world operational data to support the further development of the technology.
The vehicle is based on Tonly’s TLE120 platform and is equipped with Hina Battery’s ‘Haixing’ sodium-ion battery system, which offers a storage capacity of 676 kWh. According to the manufacturer, the cells achieve an energy density of more than 165 Wh/kg. The battery can be fully charged in 20 to 25 minutes and is designed to deliver more than 8,000 charge cycles, even under regular fast-charging conditions.
The developers highlight the advantages of sodium-ion cell chemistry for mining applications in particular. Sodium-ion batteries are considered well suited to low-temperature operation and offer high cycle stability – both key requirements in mining, where vehicles often run in multi-shift operations and face extreme winter conditions. Hina Battery also says the technology enables smaller battery packs, shorter charging times and higher vehicle availability.
