Tesla battery supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) introduced a new sodium-ion battery. The sodium-ion cells combined with lithium-ion will make the batteries great for use in electric vehicles, according to the company.
On July 29, CATL introduced a sodium-ion battery, which has a lower density and uses cheaper raw materials than batteries made from lithium-ion metals. However, the company also unveiled a solution that can combine sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells into one package, compensating energy density shortfalls while maintaining its benefits, BNN Bloomberg reported.
“Sodium-ion batteries have unique advantages in low-temperature performance, fast charging and environmental adaptability,” CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun said. “Moreover, they’re compatible and complementary with lithium-ion batteries. Diversified technical routes are an important guarantee for the long-term development of the industry." According to its statement, CATL wants to deploy the sodium-ion battery on an industrial scale and plans to form a basic production chain in 2023.
Lithium prices will continue their upward trend in 2021 and 2022 as demand for lithium-ion batteries picks up amid the global shift towards electric vehicles. Therefore, its cost will be kept at a high level. At the same time, sodium has a lower cost and is abundant in the earth's crust.
Besides cost, sodium-ion batteries have several other advantages. Such batteries can be charged for a long time without fear of damage. Also, their chemical reaction does not cause corrosion. At the same time, their lower energy density makes them unsuitable for use in long-range vehicles, but they can be used for low-speed electric vehicles and low-cost energy storage solutions. Combined with lithium-ion cells in a single package, these batteries can yield great benefits, including lower cost.
CATL said that thanks to advances in research and development, its first-generation sodium-ion batteries have reached an energy density of 160 Wh/kg and should exceed 200 Wh/kg in future generations.
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About the Author
Eva Fox
Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.
