Sodium Ion Batteries: The future powerplant for EVs?

Introduction

We all are already much familiar with Lithium-ion batteries as we use them on a daily basis. It is present in our mobile phones, laptops and tablets, digital cameras, camcorders, handheld game consoles & torches (flashlights) and much more. It is also used to power Power Tools such as cordless drills and a variety of other equipments.

Current-day electric vehicles are also being powered by this technology. But, Li-ion batteries have their own limitations(at least in context of EVs). 

• Over their lifespan batteries degrade gradually leading to reduced capacity. 
• Lithium-ion batteries can be a safety hazard since they contain a flammable electrolyte.
• They don't provide enough range.
• They take lots of time to be charged fully.
• If a lithium-ion battery is damaged or crushed(in case of accidents) then problems may arise. External short circuit can trigger the battery explosion.
• It's quite expensive(hence EVs are quite expensive when compared to their IC Engine counterparts).

 A recent analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that demand for lithium will explode, increasing 1500-fold by 2030. That could send lithium prices skyrocketing because the metal is mined in only a handful of countries.

To overcome these hurdles, numerous researches are going on all over the world. Sodium ion battery is the result of these researches and developments in this field are noticeable. Researchers have created a solid-state sodium battery with a record capacity to store charge and a flexible electrode that allows recharging hundreds of times.

ADVANTAGES

Following table compares the sodium ion batteries with lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries:

Source:wikipedia

Sodium is inexpensive and can be found in seawater so is virtually limitless. Na-ion batteries are also more stable and more powerful as well.

CHALLENGES

A big problem is the fact that the Sodium batteries lose 0.3 volts if you compare them to Lithium batteries. It means, it will drain out charge faster than the Lithium ion batteries. For every 3 volts of battery consumption for Lithium ion batteries, the Sodium ion batteries will lose 3.9 volts of charge. This unfortunate factor makes them pretty ordinary as charge carriers.

CONCLUSION

Despite those obvious problems, the technology of developing Sodium ion batteries as a substitute of the pricey Lithium ion has been welcomed by the electronics industry in general. The researchers of CEA believe that electrochemistry and solid state chemistry would enable them in creating some tailor made designs to overcome the problems they are facing now. The prototypes are still strictly in research criterion, but it can be hoped that they will pretty soon hit the mass market.