Lower-cost sodium-ion batteries are finally having their moment
Illustration of the various electrode structures in sodium-ion batteries from Chemical Society Reviews via Wikipedia
As the world moves toward heavier reliance on stored energy, we need better batteries. One solution is sodium-ion to replace lithium-ion batteries. Manufacturers hope sodium-ion batteries are safer, cheaper, and more environmentally safe.
On November 18, CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced its second-generation sodium-ion battery, mass production of which would begin in 2027. The China-based company said the new battery has an energy density of 200 watt-hours per kilogram, which is an increase from 160 watt-hours per kilogram for the previous generation that launched in 2021. Higher energy density in an EV battery translates into more driving range.
The national labs’ initiative has a five-year timeline, with a goal of developing sodium-ion batteries with energy densities that match or exceed those of today’s iron phosphate-based lithium-ion batteries. Researchers would do this by finding various efficiencies in design and materials
Until we have something better, electronics will still predominantly run on Li-Ion. Learn all about Li-Ion & LiPoly Batteries with the Adafruit Learning System.
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