CHINA’S Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) has became the first major automotive battery maker in the world to unveil a sodium-ion battery, a type of lower-density cell that uses cheaper raw materials than batteries made from lithium-ion metals

As well as a first generation of sodium-ion batteries, the Ningde, Fujian-based company has also launched a battery-pack solution that can integrate sodium-ion cells and lithium-ion cells into one case, compensating for the energy-density shortage of the former while preserving its advantages.

As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, demand for key battery ingredients, particularly cobalt, has spiked. That has spurred car and battery makers to seek alternatives to the current three main technologies — nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA), nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

The sodium-ion batteries do not contain lithium, cobalt or nickel. Shenzhen-listed CATL did not disclose cost details of the new batteries at an online launch event Thursday.

“Sodium-ion batteries have unique advantages in low-temperature performance, fast charging and environmental adaptability,” CATL chairman Zeng Yuqun said. “Moreover, they’re compatible and complementary with lithium-ion batteries. Diversified technical routes are an important guarantee for the long-term development of the industry.”

The energy density of its new sodium-ion batteries is still lower than that of LFP batteries, said Huang Qisen, deputy head of CATL’s research center. But he added that they perform well in cold-weather and fast-charging scenarios.

CATL, which is the world’s biggest battery maker, has more than 5,000 researchers, Zeng said. (SD-Agencies)