Alternatives to lithium batteries? CATL sodium ion battery will soon be put into production

In July this year CATL released the first generation of sodium ion battery, its single energy density can reach 160Wh/kg, the highest level in the world. However, its energy density is still slightly lower than the current lithium iron phosphate batteries, the battery capacity does not take advantage of. But the sodium ion battery has better low-temperature performance and fast-charging ability, charging at room temperature for 15 minutes can be charged to 80% of the power. In the cold environment of -20 ℃, can maintain more than 90% of the discharge retention rate.

Sodium ion battery can be seen as exchanging charging speed for range length. At this stage, it cannot provide longer range for the car, but as long as the charging speed is fast enough, the car owner can still get a pretty good travel experience. The key is its outstanding low-temperature performance, which will not shrink the range in the winter in northern areas, and can help electric cars get rid of the title of "electric daddy".

As a comparison, the energy density of lithium-ion battery is about 150~350Wh/kg, lithium iron phosphate battery is 150~210Wh/kg, and some ternary lithium batteries can exceed 200Wh/kg. opportunity to fully replace lithium-ion batteries.

With the global surge in demand for lithium batteries, the price of various raw materials required for the production of lithium batteries are soaring, lithium carbonate rose by more than 230% this year. The domestic reserves of lithium raw materials are relatively low, basically rely on imports, the price of raw materials on the development of domestic lithium battery caused a huge impact, but also detrimental to the long-term development of the future.

Sodium ion is different, sodium is the sixth most abundant element in the earth's crust, seawater is rich in a large number of sodium elements, domestic reserves are abundant, the cost is also lower. At the same time, sodium ion compounds are more accessible, and the negative electrode of sodium ion batteries can also use aluminum collectors, which can further reduce the cost and weight of the battery.

From various aspects such as raw material cost, manufacturing cost and abundance of reserves, sodium ion has greater potential for development. Its own low temperature performance also gives it the possibility of being promoted on a large scale. However, sodium ion batteries still have shortcomings such as low energy density and short cycle life, which require further R&D and innovation in the future.