Beyond lithium: how sodium-ion batteries could change the world
Batteries based on sodium ions are entering mass production. Some researchers say they could ultimately be a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium in electric cars and other energy applications.
According to TheAI, only 2-10% of a battery cost is lithium. So most of the price is dictated by the rest of materials, manufacturing scale and technology - which may give lithium an advantage.
Energy density is lower than and cycle life comparable with LiFePO4 - that’s what it competes with, for stationary storage.
Sodium strengths are low temperature tolerance and .. strategical because the abundance of the main ingredient.