Alternatives to lithium-ion batteries have been hyped for a number of years as sodium is much cheaper than lithium so the expected price drop from sodium-ion battery is eagerly anticipated to reduce cost of EV cars. Alternatives to lithium-ion batteries such as sodium-ion have been talked about for years, but here is the first of the EV cars to be produced. Article on Lithium-ion battery lithium Battery Improvements here.
“The first generation of mass-produced sodium-ion batteries has been installed in a production electric car for the first time. The model is part of VW’s joint venture Sehold brand in China and can cover 157 miles on a charge with the Na-ion battery that is much cheaper and safer than its lithium counterparts
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Sodium-Ion Battery Manufacturers
The world’s first mass production of sodium-ion batteries, developed by HiNa Battery, has reportedly begun with an initial 1 GWh capacity, scheduled to reach 3-5 GWh in 2024. HiNa says they focus on low-cost, long-life, high-safety and high-energy density Na-ion battery products. The potential applications cover low-speed electric vehicles.
- The car is a low speed, city based car
- Range 150 miles (250km)
- HiNa’s Na-ion cells have 145 Wh/kg energy density
- Good for 4,500 full charge-discharge cycles
The company’s research is now geared towards developing the second generation
- 200 Wh/kg energy density
- Double its charge cycles.
Energy density is one of the disadvantages of Na-ion batteries as sodium is quite a bit heavier than lithium, so they can’t really achieve Li-ion cell density.
