Summary
- CATL announced the development of its second-generation sodium battery, expected to be launched in 2025
- The new battery will exhibit improved performance in low temperatures, better safety features, and a higher energy density of over 200 Wh per kg
- Sodium-ion batteries have the advantage of being less expensive due to the abundance and low cost of sodium
- BYD is also investing in sodium-ion batteries, with plans to reach cost parity with lithium-ion batteries by 2025
- CATL CEO Robin Zeng has made bold claims about the future of sodium-ion batteries, challenging the battery innovations of companies like Tesla
Article
Battery technology is constantly evolving, and the latest innovation comes from CATL, a company known for its involvement in battery advancements. Recently, CATL announced the development of its second-generation sodium battery, which is set to be launched in 2025. This battery is designed to address the issue of performance degradation in electric vehicles in cold temperatures. The new sodium battery is said to have the ability to be discharged normally in temperatures as low as -40°C, offering better safety performance and low temperature resistance while maintaining energy density.
CATL claims that its second-generation sodium-ion batteries will have an energy density greater than 200 Wh per kg, a significant improvement over its first-generation sodium-ion batteries. Despite still being lower than the energy density of the best lithium-ion batteries, this advancement shows progress towards increased efficiency in sodium battery technology. Mass production of the new sodium battery is expected to begin in 2027, with the first cells being used for testing and benchmarking by potential customers starting in 2025.
The science behind sodium-ion batteries is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries, with sodium-ion batteries offering better characteristics in terms of safety and low-temperature resistance. Theoretically, sodium batteries should be less expensive than lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance and affordability of sodium as a resource. However, the lack of scale in sodium battery production compared to lithium-ion batteries has hindered their widespread adoption. Nonetheless, companies like CATL and BYD are making strides in developing sodium-ion batteries for use in electric vehicles and other applications.
CATL’s announcement of the second-generation sodium battery with its improved energy density and low-temperature performance has garnered attention in the realm of battery technology. The potential for sodium batteries to replace a portion of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in certain vehicle applications is being explored. Competing with lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density and cost will be crucial for the success of sodium-ion batteries, with companies like CATL and BYD leading the way in this technological advancement.
Claims made by CATL regarding the potential of its sodium-ion batteries have raised eyebrows, especially in comparison to Tesla’s 4680 battery initiative. Robin Zeng, founder and CEO of CATL, expressed skepticism about Tesla’s approach to battery technology and emphasized the importance of electrochemistry in battery development. Zeng’s confidence in CATL’s ability to produce sodium-ion batteries with an energy density of 200 Wh per kg suggests a promising future for this technology. As companies continue to push the boundaries of battery innovation, the cleantech revolution is propelled forward with the support of advancements like the second-generation sodium battery.
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