Cheaper than lithium iron phosphate? CATL's second-generation sodium-ion battery will be launched in 2025

The power battery of a car is known as one of the three major parts of a new energy vehicle, and its cost accounts for 1/3 of the entire vehicle, so the topic of batteries has never stopped. At present, the mainstream is still lithium-ion batteries, including BYD's blade battery, Geely's short knife battery, and even CATL's Shenxing battery, all of which belong to the category of lithium-ion batteries.

Although lithium-ion is the best solution at present, the cost of lithium-ion batteries is higher in low-end new energy vehicles, so "parallel replacement" has come. Sodium-ion batteries have good low-temperature performance, low prices, and the performance of some models is better than some lithium iron phosphate batteries. Recently, CATL said that the second-generation sodium-ion battery will be launched in 2025 and can discharge normally in an environment of -40℃.

It is worth noting that the energy density of the first generation of sodium-ion batteries produced by CATL is 160Wh/kg, which can provide a range of more than 200km in some micro electric vehicles. It is understood that the battery can be charged to 80% in 15 minutes, making it a "supercharged battery" and can also guarantee 90% of the power in an environment of -20℃.

The energy density of the second-generation sodium-ion battery is expected to reach 200Wh/kg, with even better safety and low-temperature performance. This is good news for low-end electric vehicles, as the cost or selling price can be reduced again.

At present, the relatively high cost may be an important factor restricting the development of lithium-ion batteries, while the lower-cost sodium-ion batteries have more room for survival. In addition to the aforementioned CATL, Honeycomb Energy, Farasis Energy, Sino-Sodium, etc. have also made layouts in this field. It is believed that the sodium-ion battery industry will become more mature; in the future, sodium-ion batteries may not only be used in low-end electric vehicles, but also in small or compact models.

N Comment: Although sodium-ion batteries have low cost, good low-temperature resistance and high safety, their low energy density is their fatal shortcoming. For new energy vehicles, battery life is the lifeline, and low battery energy density will further increase battery life anxiety. Therefore, only with technological innovation can sodium-ion batteries be accepted by more people, and CATL's second-generation sodium-ion batteries may be a breakthrough.