Wasn't sure whether to put this here or the EV thread, but I figured it's got potential ramifications for non-EV applications so I'm putting it here.
https://energy.economictimes.indiati...ttery/98209280
A joint venture between Chinese auto maker JAC and battery maker Hina is putting some sodium Ion batteries into a test vehicle with plans to put them in regular EVs starting as soon as 2025. This is quite a bit faster than most people thought it might happen.
Sodium Ion batteries have some major advantages:
-Waaay cheaper to produce, less supply bottlenecks
-Safer
-Charge faster without the damage Li batteries have
-Work much better in cold environments
-Greener supply chain
-Much better stability at high and low voltage vs Li batteries (can actually charge to 100% and discharge to zero)
A couple big disadvantages:
-Low energy density. High estimates for CATL's Na battery is 160Wh/Kg but it's probably lower (similar to LiPO4). This means you need more battery for the same distance as current Li batteries
-Low cycle life. This one is difficult because I see some sites claim with references that CATL's new Na batteries have longer life than Li batteries. Unless CATL has released some info I can't find they haven't said what the life cycle expectation is. It would be too bad if they haven't solved this because that's a deal breaker for both Evs and stationary storage. It'll be fine for two wheel vehicles and other motorized equipment, but for the major applications, life cycle is king. Even over cost and range