Sodium Batteries Are Coming For Your Gasmobiles

The article discusses the emerging role of sodium-ion batteries as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, particularly in stationary energy storage and potentially in electric vehicles (EVs). California startup Unigrid is advancing toward large-scale production of next-generation sodium batteries, initially targeting residential energy storage with plans to expand into commercial, industrial, utility-scale, and EV markets, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars, and off-road vehicles. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded Unigrid nearly $3 million to develop a pilot production line in San Diego capable of producing 250 to 750 cylindrical sodium batteries per day. These batteries aim to offer higher volumetric energy density than current commercial options due to proprietary electrolyte and anode chemistry. Sodium batteries are attractive because they use abundant and inexpensive materials like salt, addressing supply chain and ethical concerns tied to lithium, cobalt, and other materials used in lithium-ion batteries. While sodium batteries currently have comparable costs to lithium-ion batteries, they offer advantages in safety—being less prone to failure or fire under extreme conditions—and environmental impact, as they avoid the hazardous and volatile substances found in lithium-ion battery fabrication. Although sodium batteries have historically faced challenges limiting their use in mobility applications, Unigrid claims its new anode formula improves performance, and other innovators are also making progress. The article indicates that sodium batteries could soon become viable for EVs, but details on cost reductions and performance improvements remain partially undisclosed.