Could Sodium-Ion Batteries Replace Lithium-Ion Batteries in EVs?

The revolution in the electric vehicle space is largely due to developments in lithium-ion battery technology, which has made longer driving ranges a reality. With that being said,, EV manufacturers are looking for alternative power storage solutions due to the drawbacks of lithium-ion batteries, that will be discussed in a moment. Sodium-ion battery technology is seen as a good replacement. However, how do sodium-ion batteries work? What benefits does it offer? Is it a suitable replacement for lithium-ion batteries? 

What are the differences between lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries?

Lithium is one of the main components of the EV battery. Going back to the junior highschool days, let’s take a look at where lithium falls in the periodic table. You will find lithium (Li) on the far left side, and right below it, you will find Sodium (Na). Lithium and sodium are very close to each other on the periodic table, which indicates they have many chemical properties in common. As a result, it seems like sodium could be a potential lithium replacement in some applications, including in EV batteries.

What are the advantages of sodium-ion batteries?

The major advantage of sodium-ion batteries is the availability of raw materials. While lithium is very good, mining it is costly. The mining process is also environmentally destructive and requires a lot of water. You may consume up to 500,000 gallons of water for each ton of lithium extracted.

This environmental problem is further detrimental by the fact that most of the world's lithium supply is found in the driest parts of the planet. Oftentimes, agriculture suffers a lack of water in these areas.

Lithium is also relatively rare, and as demand has increased, the cost has skyrocketed, causing the price of lithium-ion batteries to reach new heights. The price, and therefore affordability and adoption rates, of EVs are sensitive to the battery cost as it is the single most expensive component.

The bulk of global lithium supply comes from China. From a geopolitical perspective, energy dependence on a particular region may not be in other nations' best interests.

Sodium, however, is 1,000 times more abundant around the world, which makes the extraction less expensive and damaging to the environment.

In addition, sodium-ion batteries are safer as they are non-flammable. This reduces the risks of fire accidents for EVs equipped with sodium-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries can also work in a broader range of temperatures. EV drivers usually get reduced driving ranges and longer charging times in too cold or too hot weather. Therefore, EV owners in colder areas with sub-zero temperatures can expect better ranges from their cars with sodium-ion batteries.

Another advantage of sodium-ion batteries is that they charge faster. Charging time is one of the current drawbacks of EVs today, as even DC fast chargers may take quite some time to reach 100 percent. However, CATL, the world's biggest EV battery manufacturer, claims sodium-ion batteries can reach 80 percent capacity much quicker.

Also, switching to sodium-ion batteries may not be as difficult as sodium-ion cells can be produced using existing equipment for making lithium-ion batteries.

Disadvantages of sodium-ion batteries

Sodium is heavier than lithium, which means sodium-ion batteries are heavier. As such, they have less energy densities compared to lithium-ion batteries. This means the car has to carry the extra weight around, reducing the available driving range.

However, this disadvantage may not be serious in colder climates where lithium-ion batteries suffer a range reduction.

CATL also proposes a battery that combines sodium-ion and lithium-ion technologies. Both cells are compatible at a pack level, and the combination offers the advantages of each type of cell.

Conclusion

Sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion may not have clear-cut advantages currently. However, industry experts are developing and researching sodium-ion battery cells as they see the potential and advantages in the product. Industry experts also expect sodium-ion batteries to become more mainstream in passenger electric vehicles and energy storage solutions, replacing some LFP cells and reaching 20 GWh by 2030. While it may still be some time before you start driving an EV powered by sodium-ion battery cells, it seems that sodium-ion batteries could overcome their lithium-ion battery counterpart as technology, and research & development advances.

If you are looking for a visual and more information, I came across this amazing explanation and well produced video that I highly recommend you check out: