The global EV market is booming due to policies, tech advances, and eco-awareness, with bans on fuel vehicles accelerating adoption. Shared mobility and connectivity further drive growth. However, lithium battery reliance faces resource scarcity and cost volatility, spotlighting sodium-ion batteries for their abundance, affordability, and performance.
In EV battery swapping, sodium-ion batteries shine with lower costs (abundant sodium cuts expenses by up to 70%), superior safety (thermal stability, no fire risks in tests), excellent low-temp operation (-40°C with high efficiency), and long cycle life (>10,000 cycles), reducing swap frequency and waste. Challenges include standardizing norms for stations.
Core Advantages Comparison Table
| Advantage Category | Sodium-ion Battery Description | Comparison to Lithium-ion Batteries | Benefit in NEV Swapping Scenarios |
| Cost Efficiency | Abundant sodium resources; 30-70% lower production costs | Lithium scarcity causes price volatility (e.g., 2-3x higher in peaks) | Reduces station operational costs; supports mass-market affordable EVs |
| Safety | High thermal stability; no fire/explosion risk in abuse tests | Prone to thermal runaway; requires advanced cooling | Ensures safe, frequent swaps and transport; lowers risk in high-traffic stations |
| Low-Temperature Performance | Full operation at -40°C; >90% efficiency without heating | Efficiency drops 20-50% below 0°C; needs preheat systems | Enables reliable swaps in cold climates (e.g., northern China winters) |
| Cycle Life | >10,000 cycles | Longer than lithium‘s 2,000-5,000 | Cuts long-term costs/waste in high-volume networks. |