We are entering the next generation of technology for electric vehicles, and the CATL sodium-ion battery will kick off a new era. Starting next year, the Chinese EV battery manufacturer will begin production of their new battery technology to succeed lithium-ion batteries. Sources have it that the EV battery maker is already in talks with EV brands on the use of sodium-ion batteries once they begin to ship.
To fund this manufacturing process, CATL will pump in over 45 billion Yuan from investors, partners, and shareholders. The company aims that its new battery will reach a capacity of 670GWh by the year 2025 which is more than the 170.39GWh available on the CATL lithium-ion battery. Already, we have seen a prototype of a sodium-ion battery from CATL that was on display sometime last year. We expect the company to build upon its existing technology, hence creating its next-generation sodium-ion batteries.
Read also: CATL’s new battery material will improve energy density by 20%.
There are benefits of the coming CATL sodium-ion battery in close comparison with the existing CATL lithium-ion battery. These benefits will make the sodium-ion battery a strong choice for many EV manufacturers once it goes into mass production and supply. Here are a few reasons why sodium-ion batteries can replace lithium-ion batteries:
- Sodium is more readily available in the earth’s crust.
- Sodium-ion batteries have higher energy density than their close competitors.
- Charging of a Sodium-ion battery is faster than a lithium-ion battery.
- The temperature on a Sodium-ion battery doesn’t flare up quickly like it would on a lithium-ion battery.
These are just a few areas where the CATL sodium-ion battery will become a more solid option to its lithium competitor. Also, reports relating to the coming CATL sodium-ion battery show that the company is putting much research into making the battery a sure success. Once it becomes available we can expect to see the likes of Tesla, BMW, Volvo, Peugeot, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, and Volkswagen make use of the new battery technology on their comes EVs.
