farticustheelder t1_j9wi7yt wrote on February 25, 2023 at 1:37 AM

Sodium is an interesting battery chemistry. First, we are never going to run out of salt, second it is highly recyclable, and third it cheap. Cheap as salt!

I love the A00 designation, it is basically the Wuling MINI EV class of vehicle: top speed 60 MPH, range 100 miles, efficiency 8 miles/kWh...blah, blah, blah! It is roughly the same class of vehicle as a 1960 VW Beetle.

The point I wish to make is that 200 kg of sodium batteries gives a good range, for a light weight vehicle that should stick to city driving, and perhaps the secondary road systems for visits to the 'country'.

A secondary point is to consider hybrid battery packs: sodium ion for range and lithium ion for oomph!, highway driving benefits from 'passing power' after all.

My driving needs could be met with a $5K Wuling MINI EV, something like the GM Bolt EV is overkill for my situation but I predict it will be a best seller as long as Treasury doesn't kill the tax credit.

I'm not sure about the actual numbers but something like the Wuling MINI and the GM Bolt twins should satisfy about 70-80% of the market. Can you imagine the demand for used Bolts when the $4K used tax cred kicks in?

The transition is getting very interesting very fast.

Dumguy1214 t1_j9x5dte wrote on February 25, 2023 at 4:53 AM

my Golf 2006 automatic gets 450 km on a full tank

Surur OP t1_j9v8fjs wrote on February 24, 2023 at 8:18 PM

Battery maker Hina Battery today unveiled three sodium-ion battery cell products and announced a partnership with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC), which has made one of its models the first to carry sodium-ion batteries.

The unveiling of the Sehol E10X test vehicle means that sodium-ion batteries are starting to be used in passenger cars, after the new batteries were mainly used in electric two-wheelers and for energy storage.

The test vehicle has a battery pack with a capacity of 25 kWh and an energy density of 120 Wh/kg. The model has a range of 252 km and supports fast charging of 3C to 4C. The battery pack uses cells with an energy density of 140 Wh/kg.

The Sehol E10X is currently available in seven versions with a guide price range of RMB 46,900 ($6,810) to RMB 76,400.

In addition to the announcement of the sodium-ion battery-equipped test vehicle, Hina Battery today officially launched three sodium-ion battery cells.

These three types of cells are NaCR32140-ME12 cylindrical cell, NaCP50160118-ME80 square cell and NaCP73174207-ME240 square cell, with energy densities of 140 Wh/kg, 145 Wh/kg and 155 Wh/kg respectively. (Early LFP batteries had energy densities of around 160 Wh/kg).

According to Li Shujun, general manager of Hina Battery, the company's sodium-ion batteries are geared to mainstream market demand and have the advantages of long life, wide temperature range and high power, and are ready for mass production.

The company is advancing cooperation with a number of leading companies, and these sodium-ion battery products will be widely used in two-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, home and commercial and industrial energy storage, and large-scale energy storage, he said.

Charuru t1_j9vcymn wrote on February 24, 2023 at 8:47 PM

How do the specs compare with competitors and solid state?

Surur OP t1_j9vdi1w wrote on February 24, 2023 at 8:51 PM

Pretty close to LFP batteries, but faster charging and more resistant to low temperature. Cheaper of course. Not sure about recharge cycles- likely less.

D_gate t1_j9wcxc9 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 12:56 AM

Current lithium batteries are between 2-300Wh per kg so they are low but they are a start.

FuturologyBot t1_j9y930z wrote on February 25, 2023 at 1:08 PM

The following submission statement was provided by /u/Surur: