CATL's New Sodium-Ion EV Battery Works In -40 Degree Cold
Some Chinese EVs already use sodium-ion batteries. Now they're hoping to unlock new levels of extreme weather performance.
- CATL's second-generation sodium-ion cells can reportedly discharge normally even at -40 degrees Celsius (-40F as temperature scales converge).
- Depending on the make and model, EV batteries perform the best between 60F to 110F. The operating range can go much higher or lower, but that affects performance and range.
- Sodium-ion battery production is in its nascent stage, but several battery makers, including BYD, CATL and Northvolt are betting on them for certain low-energy density applications.
China is reaching new heights in diversifying the battery chemistries used in electric vehicles. The country is already leading in subcategories of lithium-based chemistries, like nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC), nickel-aluminum-cobalt (NCA) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP). Earlier this year, state-run utility company China Southern Power Grid even deployed sodium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage. Now CATL, the world's largest battery maker, claims to have unlocked new levels of extreme weather performance with sodium-ion batteries.
The role of sodium ions is similar to lithium ions, where charge-carrying ions travel between the positive and negative electrodes during the charge and discharge cycles. Studies suggest that sodium-ion batteries could eliminate the pesky traits of lithium-ions: There’s less risk of thermal runaway, they can operate at varied temperatures and crucially, the cost of sodium hydroxide, a key raw material, is far lower than lithium-hydroxide. (Although battery companies have reached better economies of scale with lithium-ions.)
Sodium-ion batteries have already entered production in China. Cars that use them include theYiwei EVproduced by Volkswagen-backed JAC and theJMEV EV3.Speaking at the World Young Scientists Summit, CATL chief scientist Wu Kai said that its second-generation sodium-ion cells can discharge normally even at -40 degrees Celsius, as per several local Chinese media reports. That means EVs with such batteries won't lose range under frigid temperatures, which could help address some of the lingering concerns regarding the extreme weather performance of batteries.
They will launch in 2025 in China, with mass production expected to begin in 2027.
CATL Sodium Ion Battery
Tesla's 4680 NCM cells present in some newer Model Ys have an estimated energy density of up to 296 watt-hours per kilogram, as per some early teardowns. Sodium-ion batteries are less energy dense. While CATL has not disclosed the energy density of the new cells, it reportedly aims to reach a figure of 200 Wh/kg—a tough goal given that even LFP batteries have only recently hit that mark. That would only be appropriate for low-range EVs or entry-level trims. Some reports also claim that sodium-ion batteries are expected to replace 20-30% of LFP batteries in select applications.
A study published in the U.S. government’s National Library of Medicine calls sodium-ion batteries a “rising star.” Battery giants like CATL, BYD, and Sweden’s Northvolt are already investing in and developing these next-generation cells. So either way, one thing is clear: the future of battery chemistry isn’t headed in a single direction but will likely embrace a mix of chemistries tailored to specific use cases.
Contact the author: [email protected]
More Battery News
- ‘He Doesn’t Know How To Make A Battery’: China’s CATL Chief Blasts Elon Musk
- America Is In The Middle Of A Secret Battery Boom
- Why Hyundai, Samsung And Korea May Stay Ahead In The Trump Era
- The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Starts At $43,975, XRT At $56,875
- https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/catl-s-new-sodium-ion-ev-battery-works-in-40-degree-cold/ar-AA1ujyo9?ocid=00000000
Related
Heatwave hotspots are popping up - including one over the UK
Scientists in New York say unexplained heatwave 'hotspots' are popping up on every continent except Antarctica like 'giant, angry skin blotches'.
NewsSouth Korea: Seoul Hit By Biggest November Snowstorm In 52 Years
Video Location: Seoul, South Korea Video Recording Date/Time: November 27, 2024 at 15:00h Seoul was hit by the heaviest November snowstorm in 52 years on Wednesday, November 27. The intense snowfall disrupted traffic, including hundreds of flights. More than 200 homes in Gwangju experienced power outages. RESTRICTIONS AND USAGE TERMS: Please credit “@vegetables0411 via Spectee”. [NOTE: No audio, looped video]
NewsRanked: The 25 greatest coaches in football history
Ranked: The 25 greatest coaches in football history
NewsDisappearing ingredients: How crowdsourced collections help to save the foods at risk of extinction
Bringing back ancient grains can help family farmers in the face of climate change. View on euronews
NewsChina: Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in hyper-spectral imaging technology
China - November 26, 2024 Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in hyper-spectral imaging technology (Voice_over) Chinese researchers have made a big leap in hyper-spectral imaging technology, which is used in sensors to rapidly and accurately recognize an object in a complex environment. Developed by researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology, the broadband hyper-spectral image sensors are equipped with advanced spectral chips and powered by AI algorithms. In one demonstration, researchers showed how the technology can be used to differentiate between a silicone face mask and a real human face. (Sound_bite) Wang Zhen, PhD student, BIT Center for Scientific Exploration in Complex Environment (BISC): "Here is a facial mask made from silicon rubber that has a fundamental difference in spectral properties compared to our real human face. Through this difference, we can accurately detect and identify disguises." (Voice_over) The hyper-spectral device can simultaneously capture geometric information and dozens, even hundreds, of spectral bands, making it easy to differentiate between objects that look alike. (Sound_bite) Bian Liheng, Professor, BIT Center for Scientific Exploration in Complex Environment (BISC): "To capture spectral information across the full spectrum—from the three primary colors to hundreds of spectral bands—we need more materials for broadband spectral modulation. That's why we have developed over 100 materials that can modulate the incoming light across a broad spectrum. This enables us to collect light from hundreds of spectral bands onto a chip. When combined with intelligent algorithms, this chip-based technology integrates both hardware and software to form a powerful function." (Voice_over) The achievement has been published in the November 6th edition of the journal Nature. [Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]
NewsHidden solar surge in Pakistan shocks experts, and grid
Pakistan has grown its solar energy capacity by an astounding amount in a remarkably short space of time. The shock surge has given residents the power to survive blackouts, but it threatens to disrupt the grid.
NewsSenator Lidia Thorpe to be suspended from Parliament
Firebrand senator Lidia Thorpe is set to be suspended from Parliament for the rest of the sitting week after she ripped up a motion by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
News