Sodium batteries - already here

[dan_b]

Well I found this really interesting. I had no idea that Sodium batteries were already available and already competitive with LFP chemistry in terms of energy density, but at 30% cheaper cost?

Wonder why they've gone for pouch form factor?

[Mart]

Exactly the same with me Dan, I had no idea they'd reached production. The vid stresses over and over that they are functionally competitive with LFP, which seems fine, given that LFP's serve more BEV's than lithium ternary batts, which may be 'better' but not as cheap.

If sodium can beat LFP on price then Shirley they'll become the go to for stationary batts at the very least, taking a lot of strain off lithium demand.

One of the most, instantly, promising vids I've seen in a long time.

[dan_b]

Ok they don't talk about number of cycles, which is an omission.
But interested about how they can fully discharge to zero volts, unlike Lithium?
Also, would have liked a bit more information about the "Hard Carbon" anode, vs graphite for Lithium? But then I always want more of the science.

[Countrypaul]

Ok they don't talk about number of cycles, which is an omission.
But interested about how they can fully discharge to zero volts, unlike Lithium?
Also, would have liked a bit more information about the "Hard Carbon" anode, vs graphite for Lithium? But then I always want more of the science.

Have you checked the obvious? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_carbon follow the links to sodium ion vatteries from there and it talks in terms of lifecycles and charge rates - I suspect slightly out of date in terms of latet development but only to be expected.

[GarethC]

Yes my understanding was that where they fall down is in cycle life (and iirc charging speed?). But this article (and this guy is great on battery developments) is one of the ones I've seen that suggests cycle life is solved (or close to being).

https://pushevs.com/2022/05/04/li-fun-t ... s-in-2023/