A Sodium Battery Future?

In November last year I commented on an article reflecting on the projected launch in 2023 of a new scooter by China based scooter manufacturer, Niu, which will be powered by a sodium ion battery. It is understood that work is ongoing still on that project, but in the meantime another battery manufacturer is showing signs of success with sodium-based, rather than lithium-based, batteries.

Northvolt AB from Stockholm in Sweden has developed their version of a sodium ion battery. With an energy density of more than 160 watt-hours per kilogram, it is still behind the 250+ watt-hours per kilogram that can be achieved with lithium-ion batteries. However, it is still a sufficient high energy density to be commercially useful, especially given the greater abundance of sodium versus lithium - sodium can be extracted from saltwater!