One researcher I spoke with on the time prompt that sodium-ion batteries won’t compete instantly with lithium-ion batteries however might as an alternative discover specialised makes use of the place the chemistry made sense. Two years later, I believe we’re beginning to see what these are.
One rising phase that might be an enormous 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 vehicles, the decrease vitality density of sodium-ion batteries won’t be as massive a deal.
There’s an ideal 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 the 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, based on the corporate’s assertion to the BBC. It’s early days, but it surely’s attention-grabbing to see this market rising.
Sodium-ion batteries are additionally seeing important progress in stationary vitality storage installations, together with some on the grid. (Once more, if you happen to’re not frightened about carting the battery round and becoming it into the restricted package deal 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 knowledge facilities.
Whereas smaller autos and stationary installations look 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 yr that it plans to provide sodium-ion batteries for heavy-duty vans below the model title Naxtra Battery.
Finally, lithium is the juggernaut of the battery business, and going face to face goes to be robust for any various chemistry. However sticking with niches that make sense might assist sodium-ion make progress at a time once I’d argue we want each profitable battery kind we will get.
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