Sodium-ion batteries are real in China.

Car News China ^ | November 20, 2023 | Jiri Opletal

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

BYD to build 30 GWh sodium battery plant

On November 18, BYD’s subsidiary Findreams Battery and tricycle giant Huaihai Group signed an agreement to build a 10 billion yuan sodium-ion battery plant together . . .

BYD Seagull was rumored to be the first mass-produced EV with a sodium-ion battery. However, when it was launched in April, it came with a standard LFP Blade battery from BYD . . .
CATL announced in April the first automaker to use its Na-ion batteries will be Chery Auto’s iCar brand. However, no progress since then has been announced.

. . .

Thanks to its lower cost and smaller energy density, sodium-ion batteries will be installed on cheaper EVs, like entry-level hatchbacks, electric scooters, or tricycles. Sodium batteries’ mass production will ease pressure on precious metals extractions, as they don’t need lithium (sodium will replace it as cathode material) or any other material that seems problematic, such as cobalt used in ternary NMC batteries (NMC packs have the high energy density and are being used in top trim EVs).

. . .

Pros:

• Generally safer than lithium batteries
• Better performance in cold temperatures
• Slower discharge rate
• Cheaper to produce
• Better for the environment

Cons:

• Slower charge rate
• Lower attainable voltage
• Lower energy density than LFP

[stylin19a]

ah...you are looking at it for other applications and I was just looking at EV’s.

Takes more power to move weight.

In an ICE, automakers reduced weight by having smaller gas tanks, no spare tires, converting fluids to electronics (steering etc) ableing it to power heavy cars squeezing 4-cyl engines to give ridiculous HP and better MPGs.

I’m guessing someone will get there finding the right matches to give EV’s a decent niche.

I have an electric remote control golf trolley. It originally came with a 26 lbs led acid battery.
I was able to swap that out for a Lithium-ion weighing 6 lbs and swapped that out for one that weighs 3 lbs. I do not notice a change in performance.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I have an electric remote control golf trolley. It originally came with a 26 lbs led acid battery.

I was able to swap that out for a Lithium-ion weighing 6 lbs and swapped that out for one that weighs 3 lbs. I do not notice a change in performance.

I’m not familiar with the term "remote golf trolley.” Is that a kind of electrical caddy, so that you walk the course but don’t carry your bag of clubs?

I tried golf back (way back) in my early 20’s, but I was terrible at it and gave it up pretty quickly.

What percentage of the gross weight of the trolley did the 26-pound lead acid battery constitute? That would suggest how much difference a 3-pound lithium ion battery would make to the acceleration/hill climbing ability of the trolley. Probably less percentage effect on top speed.

[stylin19a]

that’s exactly right. it’s an electric walking golf cart that comes with a remote control about the size of a deck of cards. Not carry the clubs nor pushing\pulling them.

Not sure about weight vs. performance for either trolleys.
number of motors and wattage come in play also.

https://youtu.be/n8eiVzU2G8Q

the battery i have is less than half the size of what’s showing in this vdeo.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

😊