Sodium batteries are emerging as a significant player in the future of car batteries within the US auto industry. With the global supply of lithium depleting, sodium batteries are seen as a viable alternative for both electric and combustion engine vehicles.
Sodium batteries offer a promising solution compared to traditional Lithium-ion technology due to sodium’s abundance. While Lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the market thanks to their superior energy density, the materials required for their production, such as lithium, are expensive and limited. Most lithium reserves are concentrated in a few countries, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, and China, making access challenging and costly. Sodium, on the other hand, is far more readily available, which could significantly reduce production costs and make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable, especially for urban drivers.
Though sodium batteries don’t yet match the energy density of top-tier Lithium-ion batteries, they offer an important economic advantage. Studies suggest that sodium batteries are around 20% cheaper to produce than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, largely because sodium is derived from more common and less expensive minerals, such as salt and limestone. This potential cost reduction could lower the overall price of EVs, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
Sodium batteries operate on similar principles to Lithium-ion batteries. They consist of an anode and cathode, separated by an electrolyte rich in dissolved ions. When charged, sodium ions move to the anode and are stored, and when the vehicle is in use, the current flows, powering the car with high efficiency. The availability of sodium and the simplicity of its extraction make it a sustainable and cost-effective option.
Despite these advantages, the energy density of sodium batteries remains an area of active research. Currently, sodium batteries are less capable of holding ions compared to their lithium counterparts. However, ongoing scientific efforts aim to improve this limitation, and as materials science advances, sodium batteries are expected to close the gap in performance, especially at lower ranges.
In the long term, the shift towards sodium batteries could lead to a transformation in the automotive sector. With continued innovation, sodium batteries have the potential to reduce reliance on finite resources and create a more sustainable, affordable future for electric vehicles.
Sodium batteries present an exciting opportunity to reshape the automotive industry by providing a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to lithium technology. With ongoing research and development, these batteries could revolutionise the market, leading to more accessible and environmentally friendly vehicles.
DG Innovate plc (LON:DGI) is an advanced research and development company pioneering sustainable and environmentally considerate improvements to electric mobility and storage, using abundant materials and the best engineering and scientific practices. Deregallera is a subsidiary of DG Innovate.
