Halfway through 2021, the world got its glimpse of the first ever sodium EV battery. Sodium is an incredible 1,000 times more abundant than lithium and is easier to extract. So, it begs the question – is sodium-ion going to be the next biggest thing in the battery world?
A Threat to Lithium’s Crown?
There’s no getting away from the fact that lithium-ion batteries are the gold standard when it comes to battery technology right now. They’re long-lasting, readily available, and suitable for a multitude of applications.
But enter sodium-ion, which is new to the game. Sodium batteries are likely to be cheaper, safer, and cleaner than lithium-ion batteries when they become mainstream in the market. Sodium-ion cells also charge quickly and boast better performance in extreme weather conditions.
How Are Sodium-Ion Batteries Different?
The chemical composition of sodium-ion is different to the cells we’re most accustomed to. Sodium-ion batteries don’t contain lithium, cobalt, or nickel. The first battery, released by CATL, is likely to transform the way that electric vehicles are built.
The company currently supplies batteries to the likes of Tesla and Volkswagen, and their sodium-ion battery has been years in the making. This first iteration of the sodium-ion battery can reach 80% capacity in under fifteen minutes and can maintain its stability at sub-zero temperatures.
Is Sodium Better than Lithium?
One of the biggest advantages to lithium-ion technology is the fact that it can store lots of energy relative to its weight. This is why it is such a popular choice for use in electric vehicles.
As many within the battery industry are aware, the biggest issue with lithium is that it is expensive to mine, and is achieved through multiple processes that are far from environmentally friendly. Per ton of lithium, around two million litres of water are required.
The fact that more than half of the world’s lithium is in some of the driest places, it means that farmers often have to complete with miners for the precious resource.
Because of this, people are excited about the potential of sodium-ion technology, as it is cleaner and more efficient.
As mentioned at the start of this article, sodium is 1,000 times more abundant than lithium, and it is much easier to extract. If we can get the price point right and make the technology widely available, there’s no reason why it can’t become the most sought-after type of battery in the world.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Sodium-Ion?
Of course, no technology is perfect. One thing that is evident from CATL’s release is that the density of its sodium-ion battery can’t match that of lithium. This means the battery has to be heavier, which isn’t great news for electric vehicles at this stage.
Pairing the two together is a viable solution, as it allows manufacturers to experience the best of both worlds.
The Future of Sodium-Ion Technology
At AceOn, we’re extremely excited about the future potential of sodium-ion battery technology. We have partnered with Faradion and AMTE that seeks to bring a sodium-ion product to the market, and we will update you in due course as to its developments.
