Why the Sudden Emergence Sodium-Ion Batteries? - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the recent surge in interest and development of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), highlighting CATL’s announcement to commercialize sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2026 with a 310-mile range. Sodium-ion batteries differ from lithium-ion batteries primarily in their cathode and electrolyte materials, with sodium compounds replacing lithium. Various companies have developed different sodium-ion chemistries, such as Prussian white cathodes and hard carbon anodes, achieving diverse performance metrics including rapid charging (15 minutes to 80%), wide operating temperature ranges (-40°C to 70°C), and long cycle lives (up to 25,000 cycles). Notably, sodium-ion batteries exhibit superior low-temperature performance and safety compared to lithium-ion batteries, with better fire resistance and compliance with stringent Chinese safety regulations. Historically, sodium-ion battery research gained momentum after the discovery of hard carbon anodes in 2000, with commercial efforts starting around 2011. Early sodium-ion batteries