Concerns around EV value chain
Lithium prices have increased 700% since 2021. How on earth can one imagine EV prices to come down, since they constitute north of 40% to EV in cost terms. Also, with China controlling lithium ion global supply chain (79% batteries and 61% of global lithium refining capacity) there is a lot riding in just two buckets – lithium ion as a tech and China as a source.
Battery chemistries are continuously being explored and the ones that will make way to mass scale could be some time away. Since lithium ion has challenges outside of its cost too, like for instance being unstable at slightly aggravated temperatures. Further lithium ion has mining led impact to environment.
There is an increased talk about sodium ion based batteries. Sodium is abundant and accessible. Further, sodium ion chemistry charges faster 0-100% in 30 mins, low thermal runway and wide operating temperature (-40 to 60 degree centigrade). With an energy density of 146wh/kg and a lifecycle of 5000, sodium-ion chemistry could prove to be a viable parallel to lithium ion.
There is an increased talk about sodium ion based batteries. Sodium is abundant and accessible. Further, sodium ion chemistry charges faster 0-100% in 30 mins, low thermal runway and wide operating temperature (-40 to 60 degree centigrade). With an energy density of 146wh/kg and a lifecycle of 5000, sodium-ion chemistry could prove to be a viable parallel to lithium ion.