Lithium-ion batteries have played a vital role in the development of electric vehicles and we love them for that.
Battery researchers and manufacturers have been assiduously searching for a more sustainable replacement.
One intriguing alternative theyve discovered is another chemical element: sodium.
However, each sodium ion is larger than an equivalent lithium ion.
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Three reasons why sodium has nevertheless sparked interest
1.
Its cheaper
Sodiums abundance naturally makes it a less expensive option.
It also costs less to extract and purify it.
Plus, sodium-ion cells can be made with ample metals such as iron and manganese.
Safety risks are also reduced during transit.
Manufacturers can transport sodium-ion batteries with the battery terminals directly connected and the voltage held at zero.
The company also plans to use itsAB battery pack solution which will integrate both sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells.
With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.
