Sodium-Ion Battery vs Lithium-Ion Battery

From smartphones to everyday tools like flashlights and lamps, batteries are the silent heroes powering our lives. For years, lithium-ion batteries have been the most reliable of their kind.

But there is a new player, the sodium-ion battery, which promises to be more affordable.

It's only fair to compare these two battery types, as understanding their functionality can shape consumer decisions and influence industry policies and strategies.

Without further ado, let's dive straight in!

An Overview of Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-Ion Batteries: The Established Powerhouse

Lithium-ion batteries were first available commercially in devices and gadgets in the early 1990s and have since then found themselves across a wide field of use, including in electric vehicles.

As their name suggests, they work by the movement of lithium ions from the anode (which is often constructed out of graphite) to the cathode (made from materials like lithium iron phosphate and cobalt oxide).

Lithium-ion batteries excel when it comes to high-energy density, quick charging, and overall durability. This explains why they have become the go-to choice for modern devices, from smartphones to portable power stations.

Sodium-Ion Batteries: A Rising Challenger

While the sodium ion batteries are now coming into their large-scale production phase, their research spans decades, all the way back to the 1970s. Instead of using lithium ions, you guessed it, they use sodium ions.

They typically feature a carbon-based anode and a sodium manganese oxide cathode. And sure, they still may not match lithium ions' energy density, but they perform well in terms of low-cost raw material availability and cold-weather resilience, making them ideal for certain applications.

Performance Comparison

1. Energy Density & Weight

When it comes to energy density and overall weight, it is the lithium-ion batteries that take the lead. They can take a large amount of energy and compress it into a lightweight package. This feature makes lithium-ion batteries a great choice for electric vehicles and portable devices.

Sodium-ion batteries are heavier and have a lower energy density, which consequently makes them ideal for more stationary and less portable gadgets.

2. Charging/Discharging Efficiency

While both sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries can achieve high charging and discharging efficiencies, it is the lithium-ion ones that lead with figures that often rise beyond 90%, with the sodium-ion batteries also achieving an impressive 80% or more.

If you are looking at large-scale energy storage, such small differences may not matter a lot, but for the fast charging of small consumer devices, then percentage points matter, no matter how small.

3. Cycle Life and Degradation Patterns

With proper care and maintenance, lithium-ion batteries can last up to 3000 cycles. Though it is important to note that their capacity can fade under high temperatures.

Sodium-ion batteries aren't far behind, showing improved stability and strong performance in colder conditions. That said, the long-term data is still coming out as the technology grows.

Material & Resource Considerations

1. Abundance and Cost of Sodium vs Lithium

Sodium is among the most abundant elements on Earth and is easier to acquire compared to lithium, which is found in only a few countries and is highly expensive to extract.

2. Mining Impact and Environmental Footprint

The extraction of lithium requires a significant amount of water resources, which can put strain on key ecosystems, not to mention being damaging to the environment.

Sodium, on the other hand, is much easier and cheaper to extract and doesn't cause nearly as much damage to ecosystems.

However, it's important to note that all types of battery systems rely on other types of metals and electrodes, which have their own environmental impact.

Safety & Thermal Stability

Which Technology is Safer

Both the lithium-ion battery and the sodium-ion battery feature electric circuits and thermal regulation systems; however, each will handle stress differently owing to their chemical makeup.

While lithium-ion batteries are compact and highly efficient, they are prone to thermal runaway—a phenomenon where excessive heat can lead to fires or explosions if not managed properly. The risks go up with extreme heat exposure, overcharging, or even physical damage.

Manufacturers manage such risks through incorporating cell cooling systems and safety protocols, but lithium still carries inherent risk.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have a much lower risk of thermal runaway owing to their different chemistry. They are more stable when exposed to higher temperatures.

Note, however, that being safe doesn't eliminate the risks. Poor quality battery management systems and manufacturing can still cause the sodium-ion batteries to fail. Sodium-ion batteries demonstrate improved thermal stability compared to lithium-ion, though advancements in electrolytes and cell safety systems are still ongoing.

The table below summarizes the pros and cons of sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries:

Market Applications

1. EVs

Owing to their higher energy density and much lighter weight, lithium-ion batteries are the go-to type for electric vehicle manufacturers. They give drivers longer ranges and faster acceleration.

2. Consumer Electronics

Lithium-ion batteries are also the choice for portable devices such as smartphones and laptops, thanks again to their lighter weight and high energy density. Sodium-ion batteries still haven't caught up here as well.

3. Home Energy Storage

When it comes to home energy backup, both lithium-ion and sodium-ion varieties can work. However, this is a space where the sodium-ion battery has a chance to shine owing to its cold-weather as well as higher temperature resistance, and also being the cheaper option.

4. Grid Storage

This is also a section where the sodium-ion battery can shine. Thanks to its cheaper, more abundant materials and stability, it is a great choice for larger-scale energy storage. Sure, lithium-ion is still widely used, but sodium-ion could be the go-to option for the future.

Today's Practical Choice

For modern portable power stations, lithium-ion phosphate LiFePO₄, such as what you'll find in the Bluetti Elite 100 V2, provides a great combination of safety, longevity, and performance, which invariably results in a smart, eco-conscious choice, all while waiting for the evolution of the sodium-ion technology.

With the LiFePO₄ technology, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 can offer over 4000 charge cycles at 80% capacity, which roughly translates to about 10 years of daily use.

The small and compact design of the power station at just 25 lbs. makes this a highly portable power backup solution for adventures and even as an emergency backup. With a 1800W output and allowing surges of 3600W, plus fast recharges and the ability to reach 80% charge in 45 minutes via AC or reach 100% charge in 70 minutes through solar.

One of the main pros of the LiFePO₄ technology is the thermal stability it brings, considerably bringing down the risks associated with runaway and ensuring reliability in a variety of environments. All these factors help make the Elite 100 V2 a great choice as we wait for the sodium-ion technology to mature and reach similar performance levels.

Future Outlook

In the next 10 years or so, the sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries will likely have their place coexisting in their respective sectors according to their strengths. Electric vehicles and other electronics will likely still use lithium-ion due to its high energy density.

There is a place for the sodium-ion battery, such as in the cost-sensitive or stationary markets. Thanks to their ease of mining, better life cycle, and better temperature resilience, sodium-ion batteries are a great option for off-grid power setups and community renewables. Not to mention areas where the Cost per kWh trumps compactness.

Simply put, lithium-ion batteries are still the go-to choice for a high-energy and low-weight option. On the other hand, sodium-ion is set to grow in stationary and budget-driven niches. In the end, it is raw material geopolitics and policy, as well as manufacturing, that will influence the speed with which the shift will take place.

Conclusion

Both the sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries offer specific strengths. Lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of energy density, light weight, portability, and well-developed supply chains, which makes them good for EVs, weight-sensitive appliances and devices, as well as consumer electronics. And even while sodium-ion batteries are still emerging, they do offer some compelling advantages in raw material abundance, low-cost extraction, and thermal stability. This makes them a good choice for grid applications, stationary storage, and budget-conscious markets.