- Changan showcased an electric vehicle with a sodium-ion battery under extreme cold conditions (-32°C), highlighting its resilience.
- Sodium-ion batteries are made from abundant salt, potentially cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, and could challenge lithium's dominance in the market.
- Sodium-ion batteries have historical roots but gained serious development in the past 15 years due to rising demand for electrification.
- Challenges include heavier weight compared to lithium-ion batteries, but advancements have improved energy density to compete with some lithium variants.
- Sodium-ion batteries offer advantages like better performance in extreme temperatures, lower fire risk, and reduced cooling costs.
- Applications are expanding beyond grid storage to EVs, data centers, and home energy systems, with companies like CATL and GM investing in the technology.
- Experts predict sodium-ion batteries could reduce costs for EVs, home energy storage, and energy delivery, impacting daily life significantly.