Sodium Battery VS Lithium Ion Battery
Description
Sodium battery and lithium batterry, as two mainstream rechargeable batteries, each have their unique advantages and limitations,the following is a comparative analysis based on the latest research and market:
1.Resource foundation
Sodium battery relys on sodium elements with a crustal abundance of 2.8% (lithium only 0.0065%), are widely distributed, and do not require precious metals such as cobalt and nickel,the raw material cost is 30% -50% lower than lithium battery, and the supply chain security is significantly improved ,Lithium battery relys on scarce lithium resources, and the positive electrode requires strategic metals such as cobalt and nickel, resulting in significant fluctuations in raw material costs.
2.Electrochemical performance
Sodium battery have an energy density of 100-160Wh/kg and a cycle life of 1000-5000 times, which is lower than the 150-200Wh/kg and 8000 cycles of lithium iron phosphate batteries,however, sodium batteries have a capacity retention rate of 85% at -40 ℃ (lithium batteries only have 60% -70% at -20 ℃), outstanding fast charging ability (fully charged in 25 minutes), and a self discharge rate of only 0.1% per month. In terms of safety, sodium batteries have higher thermal stability and do not ignite when punctured, while ternary lithium batteries pose a risk of thermal runaway.
3.Industry Chain and Cost
The compatibility between sodium battery production equipment and lithium batteries exceeds 80%, with low renovation costs,the theoretical BOM cost is 50% lower than that of lithium batteries, and the market average price in 2025 is about 87 US dollars/kWh (45 US dollars/kWh for lithium iron phosphate),the maturity of the lithium battery industry chain is high, but it is significantly affected by lithium price fluctuations, and the economies of scale still give it a cost advantage.
4.Application scenarios
Sodium batteries focus on energy storage (grid peak shaving, wind and solar supporting), low-speed transportation (mining vehicles, commercial vehicles), and extreme environmental fields,lithium batteries dominate the electric vehicle (range of over 300km), consumer electronics, and high-end energy storage markets, with a global energy storage installed capacity accounting for over 95%.
5.Technological Evolution Direction
High capacity positive electrode materials (such as polyanion layered oxide composite system) and solid electrolytes for sodium batteries are being developed, with the goal of achieving an energy density of over 200Wh/kg by 2025. Lithium batteries are evolving towards solid-state, lithium sulfur systems, and hybrid batteries (sodium lithium hybrid),it is expected that by 2032, sodium batteries will occupy 50% of the energy storage market share, forming a pattern of complementary development with lithium batteries.