Electrical Automobiles Powered By Sodium Ion Batteries Go On Sale In China

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Sodium ion batteries have one benefit over the batteries used to energy most electrical automobiles at this time. They don’t comprise lithium. Whereas the world goes loopy looking for new sources of lithium that’s not processed in China, sodium is reasonable and obtainable just about anyplace on the planet. Decrease value batteries must be simply what the physician ordered to make cheaper electrical automobiles potential.

Each rose has its thorns, nevertheless. At the moment, sodium ion batteries have roughly half the vitality density of lithium ion batteries. Which means shorter vary, which is the alternative of what most individuals need of their electrical automobiles. Nonetheless, there are various markets wherein persons are very happy to have decrease vary, particularly if the worth is correct.

China is one such market the place low priced, no frills automobiles are welcome. Considered one of its hottest electrical automobiles is the Wuling Mini, which is constructed by a three way partnership between state owned SAIC and GM. There may be even a technique to get one for beneath $3,000, if the customer elects to lease the battery relatively than buy it. No self respecting American driver would ever contemplate a type of automobiles to be used within the US — how would you tow a camper or a ski boat with one? — however for individuals who simply have to drive just a few miles round city, it could be the right car.

JMEV Sodium Ion Battery Powered Automotive

As 2024 approaches, two Chinese language automakers have introduced they may have electrical automobiles powered by sodium ion batteries on the market within the new yr. Based on CnEvPost, JMEV, an EV model owned by Jiangling Motors Group, will supply a model of its EV3 fitted with sodium ion batteries from Farasis Vitality subsequent yr. The primary of these automobiles rolled of the meeting line on December 28, 2023.

The present EV3 makes use of lithium batteries and has a 31 kWh battery pack and a variety of 301 km, utilizing the very optimistic CLTC normal. The sodium battery pack will likely be rated at 21.4 kWh and can have a variety of 251 km. Record worth will likely be 58,800 RMB ($8,306), which is about $500 lower than the EV3. Is that sufficient of a distinction to make up for the lack of about 50 km of vary? For some, the reply will likely be sure.

The sodium ion batteries from Farasis Vitality have vitality densities within the vary of 140-160 Wh/kg, and the battery cells have handed exams together with pin-prick, overcharging, and extrusion, in response to the corporate. It says it should launch its second era sodium ion battery with an vitality density of 160-180 Wh/kg later in 2024. By 2026, it expects its sodium ion battery merchandise can have an vitality density of 180-200 Wh/kg.

JAC Sodium Ion Powered Automotive

Additionally on the finish of December, Anhui Jianghuai Car Group Company (JAC) introduced it has begun manufacturing of an electrical automotive powered by cylindrical sodium ion batteries from Hina Battery. It will likely be priced at 72,900 RMB ($10,600).

Determining who owns what in China is a full time job. Volkswagen has a 75 p.c stake in (and administration management of) JAC and owns 50 p.c of JAC’s mother or father firm, Anhui Jianghuai Car Group Holdings (JAG). The Chinese language authorities owns the opposite half of JAG, in response to Engadget.

JAC launched its new model — Yiwei — on April 12 and made the model’s first mannequin, the Yiwei 3, obtainable on June 16. That automotive was powered by a lithium ion battery however a sodium ion powered variant was promised for later within the yr. However that apparently shouldn’t be the automotive that went into manufacturing this month. Based on Automotive Information China, the Yiwei EV is a re-branded model of the Sehol E10X hatchback introduced earlier this yr. And who or what’s Sehol? CNC has the reply.

“Sehol is a model beneath JAC, based in 2020. The model was initially known as SOL and was owned by a three way partnership between JAC and Volkswagen. Later, VW purchased a majority stake within the three way partnership and used it for constructing Volkswagen-branded automobiles by itself MEB platform. The three way partnership was renamed from JAC Volkswagen to Volkswagen Anhui. That meant there was no use for the SOL model anymore. JAC took it over and renamed it Sehol. The Chinese language identify, 思皓 (Sihao), stays the identical.”

This automotive is claimed to have a 252 km (157 miles) vary from its 25 kWh battery that makes use of Hina NaCR 32140 battery cells. Vitality density is reported to be 120 Wh/kg and 3C to 4C charging is feasible. JAC assembles the batteries within the firm’s modular UE (Unitized Encapsulation) honeycomb construction, much like CATL’s cell-to-pack association and BYD’s Blade battery — a structure that may present for larger stability and efficiency.

When JAC revealed the Yiwei model in Might, it mentioned it will drop the Sehol label and rebrand all its autos to both JAC or Yiwei. JAC hasn’t but mentioned whether or not the Yiwei-branded sodium battery powered mannequin will hold the E10X moniker.

The Takeaway

What’s all of the hoopla about sodium ion batteries anyway? Lithium ion batteries are getting higher (and cheaper) on a regular basis. Lithium costs have fallen again to earth after hitting stratospheric ranges right now final yr. Why hassle with one thing new and totally different?

One purpose is that sodium ion batteries have confirmed to be much less affected by chilly temperatures — a persistent difficulty with lithium ion batteries. And whereas some could snicker up their sleeves about batteries which have a wimpy 120 Wh/kg vitality density, keep in mind that not so way back, LEDs the place so dim they may barely be seen in a darkish room and folks puzzled what on the planet they’d ever be good for. Now they illuminate our houses and companies whereas utilizing a small fraction of the electrical energy wanted to mild an quaint incandescent mild bulb. At the moment they’re so vibrant they’re used as headlights for our autos.

Then there may be the provision chain difficulty. China has the world’s provide of battery grade lithium in a hammerlock and isn’t shy about utilizing its close to monopoly to its benefit. Firms in different components of the world are determined to discover a work round that may allow them to defeat China’s close to complete management of the lithium provide chain.

Simply final month, Northvolt introduced it has developed a sodium battery that utterly eliminates reliance on many of the elements that go into a conventional lithium ion battery — not solely lithium but in addition cobalt, nickel, manganese, but in addition the graphite wanted for the anode. China controls practically 98% of all of the battery grade graphite obtainable at this time. To paraphrase Fox Mulder of X Information fame, “Sodium will set you free.”

Provide chains have gotten a dominant concern in manufacturing at this time. Beforehand, in the event you wanted one thing, you’d order it from wherever it was most cost-effective and it will be delivered by container ship to your door. At the moment, delivery within the Pink Sea is being disrupted by pirates and a large drought in Panama means there may be not sufficient water within the Panama Canal to drift all of the container ships that need to use it if they’re totally loaded.

Provide chain points are sufficient to make manufacturing managers tear their hair out. Sodium batteries supply the prospect of utilizing plentiful, regionally sourced supplies which might be obtainable just about in every single place. That, greater than the rest, is what’s driving the push to create sodium ion batteries. CATL mentioned two years in the past it had developed one which has 160 Wh/kg of vitality density. It has been very quiet about sodium batteries since then.

Anticipate enhancements in vitality density for sodium batteries frequently. As soon as they get to 200 Wh/kg reliably, they might effectively change into the default option to energy many of the electrical automobiles the world must make the EV revolution a hit.