And crucially, sodium-based batteries have recently been cramming more energy into a smaller package. In 2022, the energy density of sodium-ion batteries was right around where some lower-end lithium-ion batteries were a decade ago—when early commercial EVs like the Tesla Roadster had already hit the road.
In the eyes of Varta’s Head of Technology, sodium-ion batteries can make an important contribution to the decarbonisation and electrification of many areas in addition to existing technologies in order to actively shape the energy and mobility transition.
CATL is also planning to produce sodium-ion cells, as is the Chinese company Zoolnasm. In February, we also recently reported that the JAC subsidiary Yiwei exported electric vehicles with sodium-ion batteries for the first time. varta-ag.com
Projections from BNEF suggest that sodium-ion batteries could reach pack densities of nearly 150 watt-hours per kilogram by 2025. And some battery giants and automakers in China think the technology is already good enough for prime time.
In 2022, the energy density of sodium-ion batteries was right around where some lower-end lithium-ion batteries were a decade ago—when early commercial EVs like the Tesla Roadster had already hit the road. Projections from BNEF suggest that sodium-ion batteries could reach pack densities of nearly 150 watt-hours per kilogram by 2025.
On Nov. 21, a consortium of seven US national laboratories announced a new initiative in which they would spend $50 million to foster collaboration to accelerate the development of sodium-ion batteries. The partnership is led by Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago area.