Submission + - Sodium batteries with 3.6m mile lifespan in 2026 (simcottrenewables.co.uk) 1
shilly writes: CATL has announced it will be launching its new sodium batteries in 2026. They have some major advantages over LFP chemistries, including:
- 65% cheaper at launch ($19 at cell level, expected to drop to $10 in future)
- 85% range at 3.6m miles
- Dramatically less range reduction in very cold conditions
- Inherently lower fire risk
- Can be transported on 0% charge
- Slightly better gravimetric density (175Wh/kg cf 165)
Sodium isn’t a panacea: volumetric density remains lower, for example. But these batteries could well dominate in years to come, not least because they are made of commonly available materials (table salt!). For example, millions of homes across Africa are putting in solar plus storage to have heat, light and power at night, throwing out their kerosene. Sodium could substantially accelerate the trend.
- 65% cheaper at launch ($19 at cell level, expected to drop to $10 in future)
- 85% range at 3.6m miles
- Dramatically less range reduction in very cold conditions
- Inherently lower fire risk
- Can be transported on 0% charge
- Slightly better gravimetric density (175Wh/kg cf 165)
Sodium isn’t a panacea: volumetric density remains lower, for example. But these batteries could well dominate in years to come, not least because they are made of commonly available materials (table salt!). For example, millions of homes across Africa are putting in solar plus storage to have heat, light and power at night, throwing out their kerosene. Sodium could substantially accelerate the trend.
Kerosene? (Score:2)
Maybe it's because I'm in the northeast, but Kerosene is only used for space heaters here, and typically only as an auxiliary or novelty heat source. Most, but not all, of us use electricity space heaters if oil and gas are not available. Instead of "throwing out their kerosene" perhaps the author should say "using even less from the grid."