Gotion High-Tech (30 percent owned by Volkswagen) announced some new sodium ion batteries. The one aimed at transportation has 261 w/kg energy density. However, Gotion failed to give cycle life or manufacturing cost.
One of the other two batteries has a lower energy density, a little lower than LFP batteries, it is for heavy trucks and should be a good fit if cycle life and cost are acceptable.
The time line for the heavy truck batteries is pretty aggressive at late 2026 or early 2027. The lighter 261 w/kg battery is 2027 to 2028 or later. This battery if it works could save Volkswagen. But, it’s not here and two of the three required metrics for success have not been released.
Still this is announcement is on the heels of CATL’s amazing Sodium Ion Batteries and is a hint that we may be getting to a real tipping point on electrification.
For comparison, the Tesla NMC 4680 has about the same energy density as the high density sodium ion battery that Gotion has announced and the physics say that all sodium ion batteries will have better charge curves than any NMC battery, and the material cost will be much much lower.
While this literally will have nothing to do with the price of rice in China (this year) it is possible that it will have huge impact by 2030.
Cheers
Qazulight
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