Forget solid-state batteries, this could be the real electric car breakthrough to push EVs like 2026 BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Elexio and Kia EV5 to the next level

BAIC's Arcfox T1 EV.

Solid-state batteries have been labelled the holy grail for EVs.

They are said to deliver long driving ranges, fast charging and reduce weight of electric cars, but this new type of battery could be the real solution to pushing zero-emissions cars to the next level.

Dubbed sodium-ion batteries, the new tech comes with a range of benefits.

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They are cheaper to build, use readily available materials, can handle extreme temperatures and can deliver a driving range of about 500km.

Energy density is the new tech’s weakness, but recent advancements have brought them close to Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) batteries used by BYD and others.

Now the latest cells developed by Chinese brand BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation), promise even more.

Recent reports state the company claims its latest sodium-ion battery can be fully charged in just 11 minutes, which leapfrogs most other claims.

BAIC's sodium-ion battery

The company also says it is extremely safe, with recent tests showing it can absorb 200 per cent of its capacity without an increased risk of fire or explosion.

BAIC has not revealed when these new cells would be ready for mass production or if they will be fitted to an electric car.

The company does not currently sell vehicles in Australia directly, but the recently launched Hyundai Elexio was developed and built in partnership with BAIC via a joint venture called Beijing Hyundai.

This leaves scope for BAIC technology to find its way into Australian delivered cars in the future.