Sodium-ion batteries use sodium-ions as their charge carriers. This puts them at an advantage over lithium-ion versions, which use a scarcer more expensive mineral. Beyond that difference the batteries are almost identical, except lithium has greater energy density. Now Chinese company JAC Motors just unveiled the world’s first sodium-ion electric car.
JAC Electric Car Uses Sodium-Ion as World First
MSN suggests the cost of the sodium-ion electric car will be 10% cheaper than a lithium-ion equivalent. Although we have heard less distance-between-charging will make it more of a city run-about. The 10% saving will come from the cost of the battery, because the manufacturing costs should be otherwise comparable.
Upward pressures on lithium-carbonate prices have seen carmakers scramble for alternative charge carriers. But will the average North American be content with a set of wheels that only manages 150 miles between charges? None-the-less there are likely to be takers for this stylish city compact.
Will the Cost-Performance Ratio Be the Discriminator?
Battery maker Hina is positive about the benefits. We’ve heard their spokesperson believes “better cost-performance, high safety, as well as excellent cycle performance” will make the difference. The lower density of sodium-ion does have its advantages. They include faster charging speed and lower-temperature performance among others.
Perhaps we should see the JAC Motors sodium-ion electric car in the context of an aggressive Asian outreach into Western markets. Certainly, they are keen for their share of the plug-in market, which could almost treble in the next four years according to Juniper Research.
We know Chinese electric car maker BYD hopes to exceed Tesla sales by the end of 2023. Nikkei Asia believes they plan to sell more than two million EV’s worldwide this year, including Japan and countries in Southeast Asia and Europe. There is a gap in the market for sodium-ion to exploit, as long as raw lithium prices continue to rise.
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Sodium-Ion Invading Lithium-Ion’s Market
