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Sodium-ion batteries find early use as lithium alternative
A first sodium-ion battery truck was delivered in China for use at a mine, with the system rated at 676 kWh and able to recharge in 20 to 25 minutes.
Battery technology is increasingly drawing attention as the search accelerates for alternatives to lithium in electric vehicles and energy storage, OilPrice reports, with sodium-ion emerging as one contender.
OilPrice says earlier this month Chinese media reported the first truck using a sodium-ion battery was delivered to a mine. Car News China reported the battery has a capacity of 676 kWh and an energy density of 165 Wh/kg, and that the maker, Hina Battery, claims recharge times of 20 to 25 minutes.
The article also points to U.S. efforts to develop sodium-ion batteries aimed at reducing dependence on China-dominated supply chains for batteries and critical minerals, and it cites a recent Wall Street Journal tech column describing the technology as “China-free.”
OilPrice cautions that enthusiasm may be premature because sodium-ion batteries remain relatively new and have drawbacks, including lower energy density, as the technology continues to evolve.