We will be exploring an emerging technology that has the potential to revolutionize the electric vehicles industry and their sodium ion batteries.
We’ll be discussing what they are and how they differ from the widely used Lithium-ion batteries. What is the impact on the EV industry?
Why are we discussing these sodium ion batteries while lithium ion batteries are ruling the world? The main disadvantage in lithium ion batteries is its cost. Most of the Indian manufacturers are depending on neighboring countries (China) for this lithium. It is getting quite expensive to manufacture these batteries whereas sodium can be found abundant in India.
Sodium Battery vs Lithium Battery
It costs very less to manufacture these sodium ion batteries. Now let’s understand what sodium ion batteries are.
Sodium ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that use sodium ions as the charge carriers similar to lithium ion batteries. The sodium ion batteries also consist of a cathode and anode and an electrolyte.
But the materials used in the construction differs significantly. The main difference lies in the materials used for the battery scattered lithium. The batteries used lithium Cobalt oxide or other lithium-based materials with sodium and batteries.
We used materials like sodium iron phosphate or sodium manganese oxide in the cathode. This difference affects the energy density and performance of both the batteries. I already said sodium will be used in sodium ion batteries. They are more abundant in India and less expensive compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Read more:-Chinese Hina Battery company used 1st Sodium-ion battery in electric vehicles
Sodium is mainly obtained from sodium chloride which is usually obtained by mining or by drying out sea water. The sodium batteries can address one of the key challenges faced by the EV industry which is cost.
The sodium ion batteries can make electric vehicles more affordable making EVS reach a broader range of consumers. So till now we discuss the positives of these sodium ion batteries. But there are some negatives too. These negatives are the main reason.
Why are these sodium and batteries not used in electric vehicles? Still now energy density is a critical Factor when it comes to EV batteries. Lithium-ion battery currently have a higher energy density than sodium ion batteries. It means lithium ion batteries can store more energy in a smaller and lighter package.
This is one of the main reasons why lithium and batteries are dominating in the EV industry. Another significant difference between these two batteries is the speed of charge and discharge. Sodium ion batteries have a slower charging and discharging rate compared to lithium and batteries.
This means electric vehicles equipped with the sodium ion batteries take longer to charge but I’m pretty sure current technology and research is capable of making this charging time less.
A chinese-based company called CATL already launched these sodium ion batteries. Soon they are going to make an electric car with these sodium ion batteries by collaborating with BYD.
So finally despite the current differences in energy density and charging speed. Sodium ion batteries have the potential to offer a more sustainable and economical option for EV manufacturers. The sodium ion batteries are less prone to overheating and having a lower fire risk.
Please let us know your thoughts on the sodium ion batteries in the comment section .
