China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, unveiled its latest product in July — a sodium-ion battery.
Done right, this technology could lead to widespread adoption in a market largely dependent on subsidies and where EV sales are still a fraction of all cars.
Key points in this regard –
- Sodium-ion batteries were initially being researched in 1970s, but then interest got shifted towards newer, fancier and supposedly more promising lithium-ion batteries.
- Recently, however challenges with lithium-ion batteries are becoming more and more apparent – costs being one of the major one due to shortage of material. The other being safety (fire incidents).
- The content of sodium in earth reserves is around 2.5% to 3%, or 300 times more than lithium and is more evenly distributed, according to Jefferies Group LLC analysts. Wider availability in turn imply lower costs. Sodium power packs could cost almost 30% to 50% less than the cheapest electric car battery options currently available. Wider availability also means less volatile prices fluctuations further improving the overall operating dynamics.
- Sodium-ion batteries currently have a relatively lower energy density, they run better at cooler temperatures and have a greater life span, making them a better long-term investment, in theory. CATL’s latest product is expected to have an energy density of 160 Watt-hour per kilogram and will take 15 minutes to reach 80% of its charge. That’s on par with batteries currently on the market, ranging from 140 Wh/kg to 180 and 240 in the highest end type.
Lower overall costs can provide the much needed EV push especially for developing countries like India.
Super! Sodium is the way to go!