Volkswagen bets on "salt" batteries: Chinese promise a revolution cheaper than lithium

VW's partner unveiled a mass-production-ready sodium-ion battery with a density of up to 261 Wh/kg

China's Gotion High-Tech, in which Volkswagen holds a significant stake, has unveiled a new generation of Gnascent sodium-ion batteries. The main announcement is loud: the batteries are already ready for mass production, and the top version achieves an energy density of 261 Wh/kg. For sodium cells, this is one of the highest figures in the industry.

Источник изображения: Gotion High-Tech

Sodium-ion batteries are considered a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Instead of expensive lithium, sodium is used – a much cheaper and more common material. Theoretically, this could sharply reduce the cost of batteries and decrease the industry's dependence on scarce raw materials.

Until now, the main problem with such batteries has been low energy density. Most mass-produced sodium-ion batteries are inferior to modern LFP batteries in terms of energy storage. This is why Gotion's statement seems important: 261 Wh/kg is already approaching the level of some lithium-ion solutions. The company claims that the new chemistry is suitable not only for stationary storage systems but also for transport.

Gotion showed two versions of Gnascent at once. The first is focused on maximum energy density and light transport – for example, drones and compact electric vehicles. The second focuses on high power and fast charging.

For Volkswagen, this is a particularly important direction. The German concern is actively looking for ways to reduce battery costs amid fierce competition with Chinese manufacturers. Earlier, VW had already integrated LFP batteries into Chinese versions of ID models and invested about 1 billion euros in Gotion.

But a full-fledged revolution is still far off. Even the most modern sodium-ion batteries are still inferior to the best lithium-ion cells in terms of range and compactness. However, they are potentially safer, cheaper, and better tolerate low temperatures – and price is now becoming the main battlefield in the electric vehicle industry.

Read more materials: