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Someone enlighten me please. I’ve been wondering why we don’t concentrate on sodium batteries instead of lithium for EVs. They’re heavier but is that really a

by d--b 4y ago

Someone enlighten me please. I’ve been wondering why we don’t concentrate on sodium batteries instead of lithium for EVs. They’re heavier but is that really a problem? Today’s cars are heavy as hell, there must be ways to make lighter vehicles that balance the weight of sodium, no? The main barrier in EV adoption is the price difference, which, if I understand correctly comes mainly from the battery. Take all the heavy/expensive crap out of modern cars, use sodium batteries instead of lithium and you have yourself a winner, right? That all seems like obvious choices to me. Where am I wrong?

csours 4y ago
> I’ve been wondering why we don’t concentrate on sodium batteries instead of lithium for EVs. They’re heavier but is that really a problem? Sodium batteries suitable for EVs don't really exist yet. > Today’s cars are heavy as hell, there must be ways to make lighter vehicles that balance the weight of sodium, no? You can make them slower, smaller, and shorter range. You can add lightness with things like aluminum and composites, but those are rather expensive. No you really can't remove enough weight and maintain the same form factor and user experience. Batteries have been consistently coming down in price. This is the one thing that capitalism is good at, I feel quite sure that batteries will continue to come down in price. There are still huge advances being made every day in the lab; wait 5 years or so and those upgrades will be in commercial production. If a sodium chemistry can prove itself to be the best, it will be used. Research institutions and industry are trying multiple parallel tracks
thinkcontext 4y ago
Several Chinese manufacturers are introducing GWh scale sodium battery lines that should begin production this year or next. Some plan to use them in tandem with lithium batteries
_hypx 4y ago
Sodium-ion batteries still don't exist yet. And even if they do, they will be much lower energy density than li-ion. EVs will get heavier, not lighter.
- timbit42 4y ago
  Sodium-ion batteries are approaching lithium-ion battery density. Researchers think they can reach and surpass lithium battery density, but that seems unlikely. Until that happens we should switch to sodium-ion batteries for stationary uses, such as in homes an businesses and leave the lithium-ion batteries for portable usage such as vehicles and portable electronics.
  - _hypx 4y ago
    Not even close. At best something like LFP, but not the peak of li-ion. Stationary systems do not call for conventional batteries. They would be something else entirely if we are serious about the problem.

by d--b 4y ago

csours 4y ago

> I’ve been wondering why we don’t concentrate on sodium batteries instead of lithium for EVs. They’re heavier but is that really a problem? Sodium batteries suitable for EVs don't really exist yet. > Today’s cars are heavy as hell, there must be ways to make lighter vehicles that balance the weight of sodium, no? You can make them slower, smaller, and shorter range. You can add lightness with things like aluminum and composites, but those are rather expensive. No you really can't remove enough weight and maintain the same form factor and user experience. Batteries have been consistently coming down in price. This is the one thing that capitalism is good at, I feel quite sure that batteries will continue to come down in price. There are still huge advances being made every day in the lab; wait 5 years or so and those upgrades will be in commercial production. If a sodium chemistry can prove itself to be the best, it will be used. Research institutions and industry are trying multiple parallel tracks

thinkcontext 4y ago

Several Chinese manufacturers are introducing GWh scale sodium battery lines that should begin production this year or next. Some plan to use them in tandem with lithium batteries

_hypx 4y ago

Sodium-ion batteries still don't exist yet. And even if they do, they will be much lower energy density than li-ion. EVs will get heavier, not lighter.

timbit42 4y ago
Sodium-ion batteries are approaching lithium-ion battery density. Researchers think they can reach and surpass lithium battery density, but that seems unlikely. Until that happens we should switch to sodium-ion batteries for stationary uses, such as in homes an businesses and leave the lithium-ion batteries for portable usage such as vehicles and portable electronics.
- _hypx 4y ago
  Not even close. At best something like LFP, but not the peak of li-ion. Stationary systems do not call for conventional batteries. They would be something else entirely if we are serious about the problem.