Sodium-ion Battery technology is now paving the way for affordable Electric Vehicles (EVs). A former Battery Module Design Engineer at Tesla, Spencer Gore, believes that his Bedrock Materials startup has developed sodium-ion batteries that offer a 300-mile range at a lower price than the current lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells.
Sodium-Ion Batteries Versus Lithium-ion Batteries
Gore argues, ‘It’s almost certain that sodium-ion will outshine lithium iron phosphate, the cheapest Lithium-ion.’ This development opens the door to sub-$25,000 electric cars, similar to the envisioned Tesla Model 2. In a 2020 earnings call, Elon Musk emphasized the importance of a 300-mile range for EVs in the U.S. network, which would make longer ranges unnecessary.
Shifting the Focus to Affordable EVs
Initially, EV manufacturers, including Tesla, targeted performance-oriented Electric Vehicles for early adopters. These premium cars used costly battery materials like nickel, lithium, and cobalt. According to Gore, as the EV market matures, the focus has shifted. Now, more emphasis is placed on affordable battery chemistry, such as those using iron phosphate, found in Tesla’s RWD Model Y and Model 3 models.
Innovative Sodium-ion Battery Technology
Bedrock Materials is pioneering an even cheaper battery technology that eliminates lithium use. They have developed a cathode that incorporates abundant materials like sodium, iron, aluminum, or manganese. Recent advancements have improved Sodium-ion Battery energy density, making them viable for use in vehicles.
According to Spencer, Bedrock’s sodium-ion cathode packs can achieve a 300-mile range with only a slight increase in size and weight. This additional weight is equivalent to carrying an extra passenger, which is manageable in mass-market vehicles.
Scaling Up Production
Bedrock Materials has already started producing the necessary components for these sodium-ion batteries. They have secured $8 million in seed funding to scale up domestic production. This expansion will eventually make cars with sodium-ion cells eligible for federal tax credit subsidies. This could further reduce the cost of EVs, making them more accessible to a broader audience.
The future of affordable EVs looks promising with Sodium-ion Battery technology, potentially leading to a new era of cost-effective, long-range Electric Vehicles.
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