In China, the German motorsport giant Volkswagen has achieved an important milestone by presenting the first electric vehicle in the world powered by a sodium ion battery.
The new technology could transform the electric car industry, as sodium-ion batteries offer a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion.
The high price of lithium last year put enormous pressure on the production of batteries of lithium ion. However, sodium ion batteries are lower in cost and offer excellent cycling performance, making them a viable option for manufacturers.
the hua xianzi (Fairy of the flowers in Spanish), is a five-seater passenger car and the first electric vehicle to use a 25 kWh Na-ion battery from HiNa Battery Technologies. The battery can travel up to 250 kilometers on a single charge, and the intention is to develop it for buses, trucks and scooters.
Although sodium ion batteries have a lower energy density than lithium ions, have other advantages, such as better performance at low temperatures, charging speed, a longer useful life and can be recharged more times without degrading.
They are also less prone to overheating and other safety issues, making them a safer option for large-scale energy storage.
The advantages of sodium: cheaper and more available than lithium in nature
He Sodium ion battery manufacturing process uses cheaper raw materials. The scarcity and cost of lithium have challenged the battery industry, with companies around the world searching for suitable alternatives for years.
Sodium ion battery technology has emerged as one of the most promising contenders. HiNa Battery Technology claims that this breakthrough could help reduce the production costs of electric vehicles by 10%.
The Hua Xianzi, powered by sodium ion batteries, marks a major step forward in the electric vehicle sector. Sodium-ion battery technology offers a cost-effective, safe, reliable and efficient solution. Will it be the breakthrough we were waiting for?