The Yiwei, made by JAC, is a bargain at just $12,600 and runs on a sodium-ion battery that can go for 252 kilometers on a single charge.

The battery is lighter, cheaper, and safer than the lithium ones used by most electric cars. It also works better in cold weather and won't blow up in your garage.

The Yiwei could make electric cars affordable for everyone and put China ahead of the game in the green revolution.

But it could also spark a trade war with the US, where car makers are worried about losing their market share to the Chinese. They might pressure their politicians to block JAC from selling its cars in America, claiming they pose a security threat. JAC has the backing of VW, so it might have a chance to crack the EU market.

The Yiwei is based on the Sehol E10X hatchback, which JAC announced earlier this year. The company has rebranded its vehicles to either JAC or Yiwei, and the Yiwei is the first to hit the road. JAC hasn't said if the Yiwei will keep the E10X name.

The Yiwei will be available from January 2024, and will cost between $12,600 and $17,900 depending on the features.