One researcher I spoke with on the time advised that sodium-ion batteries won’t compete immediately with lithium-ion batteries however may as an alternative discover specialised makes use of the place the chemistry made sense. Two years later, I feel we’re beginning to see what these are.
One rising section that could possibly be a giant win for sodium-ion: electrical micromobility autos, like scooters and three-wheelers. Since these autos are likely to journey shorter distances at decrease speeds than automobiles, the decrease vitality density of sodium-ion batteries won’t be as large a deal.
There’s an awesome BBC story from final week that profiled efforts to place sodium-ion batteries in electrical scooters. It targeted on one Chinese language firm referred to as Yadea, which is without doubt one of the largest makers of electrical two- and three-wheelers on this planet. Yadea has introduced a handful of sodium-powered fashions to the market to this point, promoting about 1,000 of the scooters within the first three months of 2025, in accordance with the corporate’s assertion to the BBC. It’s early days, nevertheless it’s fascinating to see this market rising.
Sodium-ion batteries are additionally seeing vital progress in stationary vitality storage installations, together with some on the grid. (Once more, should you’re not apprehensive about carting the battery round and becoming it into the restricted bundle of a automobile, vitality density isn’t so necessary.)
The Baochi Power Storage Station that simply opened in Yunnan province, China, is a hybrid system that makes use of each lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries and has a capability of 400 megawatt-hours. And Natron Power within the US is amongst these focusing on different prospects for stationary storage, particularly going after information facilities.
Whereas smaller autos and stationary installations seem like the early wins for sodium, some firms aren’t giving up on utilizing the choice for EVs as properly. The Chinese language battery large CATL introduced earlier this 12 months that it plans to supply sodium-ion batteries for heavy-duty vehicles underneath the model identify Naxtra Battery.
Finally, lithium is the juggernaut of the battery trade, and going face to face goes to be powerful for any different chemistry. However sticking with niches that make sense may assist sodium-ion make progress at a time once I’d argue we want each profitable battery sort we will get.
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