Sodium ion batteries, which were born at the same time as lithium-ion batteries but have different lifespans, are ushering in an explosion of life this year.
Recently, Huayu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yadi Technology Group, released Huayu's first generation sodium ion battery - "JiNa 1" and its supporting vehicle - Yadi JiNa S9. This sodium ion battery is the first product in the two wheel electric vehicle industry to have the level of installation and application.
It is reported that the energy density of the sodium ion battery cell of "Extreme Sodium 1" has exceeded 145Wh/kg, with a cycle life of 3000 times and a maximum of 10 minutes to fully charge 80%. In a low temperature environment of minus 40 degrees Celsius, the battery capacity retention rate can still exceed 85%. The layered oxide material and electrolyte material for the positive electrode of the battery cell are provided by Sodium Innovation Energy Company, while the hard carbon material for the negative electrode is provided by Betray.
Chen Jianze, President of Huayu Research Institute, judged that the market share of sodium ion batteries in two wheel electric vehicle batteries will rapidly increase. It is expected that the market share of lead-acid, lithium, and sodium batteries will be approximately 50%, 15%, and 35% in 2025.
On the path of commercialization of sodium ion batteries, it has always been considered that the biggest advantage of sodium ion batteries over lithium ion batteries lies in their cost. In recent years, the surge in lithium prices and the tight supply of lithium resources have created opportunities for the redevelopment of sodium ion batteries. Specifically, using iron manganese nickel based cathode materials reduces the raw material cost by half compared to ternary cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries; Due to the characteristics of sodium salts, low concentration electrolytes are allowed to reduce costs; Sodium ions do not form an alloy with aluminum, and the negative electrode of the battery can use aluminum foil as the current collector, which can further reduce costs by about 8%.
It is worth noting that the recent sharp drop in domestic battery grade lithium carbonate prices has raised concerns about whether the previously bumpy fate of sodium ion batteries, which have not yet been mass-produced and cost reduced, will be impacted again. However, according to previous calculations by Zhongke Haina, if the price of battery grade lithium carbonate is 150000 yuan/ton, the cost of sodium battery materials is still 30% -40% lower than that of lithium battery materials. The leader of electrolyte, Duofluduo, also stated on the investor platform that even if the price of lithium carbonate drops to 150000 yuan/ton, sodium batteries will still be competitive.
In the view of Ma Zifeng, the founder of sodium innovative energy, the advantages of sodium ion batteries are not only reflected in cost. Sodium batteries have advantages that lithium batteries do not have. For example, sodium ion batteries have higher charging and discharging rates, and sodium ion batteries have no over discharge characteristics, allowing discharge to zero volts and facilitating transportation. Sodium ion batteries also have a wider temperature range adaptability. The capacity retention rate of sodium ion batteries is 70% at low temperatures of -40 ° C, and they can be cycled for charging and discharging at high temperatures of 80 ° C. Compared to lithium iron phosphate, its low-temperature performance has the advantage of rolling resistance, "Ma Zifeng said. Therefore, in the face of the biggest uncertainty of this year, the price of lithium carbonate, supporters of sodium ion batteries still show sufficient confidence.
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