Sodium-ion battery (Na-ion battery) is a rechargeable energy storage device that operates on the same fundamental principles as lithium-ion batteries but uses sodium ions (Na⁺) as the charge carriers instead of lithium. These batteries are emerging as a promising alternative due to the abundance, low cost, and wide geographic availability of sodium compared to lithium.
Key characteristics of sodium-ion batteries:
Typically offer lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, but better performance in cold climates and high rate capability
Advantages:
Suitable for large-scale energy storage systems
Applications include:
Electric mobility (e.g., electric bikes, light EVs – under development)
Sodium-ion batteries are under active research and commercialization efforts, particularly for applications where cost and sustainability are more critical than maximum energy density.
