As previously highlighted by MIT Technology Review, sodium-ion batteries provide a potentially viable alternative power source to lithium-ion batteries, given the abundance of sodium compared to lithium and the potential for lower costs.
Despite the established foothold of lithium-ion batteries, the surging prices of lithium and lithium hydroxide (a key ingredient in their manufacture) have prompted increased research and development of sodium-ion batteries.
While currently their energy density is lower than that of their lithium-ion counterparts, making them less suitable for electric vehicle use, they present worthwhile opportunities for smaller vehicles, and particularly in stationary energy storage installations.
Yadea has sold about 1,000 sodium-powered scooters to date, while the Baochi Energy Storage Station in Yunnan, China, utilises both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.
Chinese battery giant CATL has also announced plans to produce sodium-ion batteries for heavy-duty trucks.