Two years ago, sodium-ion battery pioneer Natron Energy was busy preparing its specially formulated sodium batteries for mass production. The company slipped a little past its 2023 kickoff plans, but it didn't fall too far behind as far as mass battery production goes. It officially commenced…
    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      And commuter cars probably. I’d love something I can drive to work and back, and then later upcycle into home energy storage.

      CATL showed a 160 Wh/kg sodium-ion battery in 2021 and has plans to increase that density over 200 Wh/kg to better meet the needs of electric vehicles.

      Hopefully that happens in a reasonable timeframe. I don’t need high range, I just need cheap to repair or long life for a commuter. Maybe we’ll get something similar for buses and light rail first before getting it for regular cars.

      • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        2 months ago

        Amazing how far we’re progressing in battery technology in such a short amount of time.

        And all it took was $100/BBL gas to get people off their asses. A shame we weren’t pioneering this kind of research 40 years ago.

        • Aux@lemmy.worldEnglish
          01·
          2 months ago

          Sodium batteries are in development for over 30 years. We were pioneering this kind of research almost 40 years ago and that’s how much time, effort and financial investment this stuff takes. It will be 10 more years to get them everywhere. Technology is not as fast as you think.