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Advantages of Sodium-ion Batteries

1、Abundant raw material resources
Sodium is far more abundant in the earth’s crust than lithium. It does not rely on scarce minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, ensuring stable supply chains free from overseas mineral restrictions.
2、Excellent low-temperature performance
It retains over 90% capacity at -20°C with little range attenuation in frigid environments, and supports normal charging at low temperatures, ideal for northern and high-altitude regions.
3、Fast charging and high power output
Sodium ions migrate rapidly, enabling high-rate fast charging for quick energy replenishment. It delivers strong instantaneous discharge power, suitable for start-stop systems, construction machinery and grid frequency regulation.
4、Higher safety level
It triggers thermal runaway at much higher temperatures, with low risks of fire or explosion under short-circuit and nail penetration tests and less dendrite formation, perfect for unattended energy storage and base station backup power.
5、Longer service life
Energy storage models achieve over 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, and power-type versions far outperform lead-acid batteries, cutting long-term replacement and maintenance costs.
6、Fast mass production deployment
Manufacturing equipment is compatible with existing lithium battery production lines. Factories can start production with minor modifications without heavy new investment.
7、More eco-friendly than lead-acid batteries
Free of toxic heavy metal lead with no pollution risks. It surpasses lead-acid batteries in energy density, weight and service life, serving as a full replacement for low-speed vehicles, marine start batteries and backup power for energy storage.

Differences between Sodium-ion Batteries and Lithium-ion Batteries

1. Raw Materials & Supply Chain

Sodium-ion Battery (SIB): Sodium is abundant in the crust and seawater. No scarce lithium, cobalt or nickel required, with stable and low-risk supply chain.
Lithium-ion Battery (LIB): Lithium is scarce with uneven global distribution. Ternary LIBs need costly cobalt and nickel, leading to volatile raw material prices.

2. Production Cost

SIB: Aluminum foil applicable for both electrodes. Low-cost sodium materials cut total BOM cost by 30%-40% vs LFP batteries in mass production.
LIB: Anode requires expensive copper foil. Lithium salts and cathode materials raise overall production cost.

3. Energy Density

SIB: Low energy density (120-175 Wh/kg) and lower voltage platform, larger in size for equal capacity.
LIB: Higher energy density: 150-210 Wh/kg (LFP), 200-350 Wh/kg (ternary). Ideal for long-range scenarios.

4. Low-temperature Performance

SIB: Excellent low-temperature performance. Retain >90% capacity at -20°C, stable charge-discharge at -40°C.
LIB: Obvious low-temperature capacity decay. Only ~50% capacity left at -20°C; hard to charge in cold conditions.

5. Charging & Power Performance

SIB: Support 5C-10C high-rate charge/discharge, featuring fast charging and high instantaneous power.
LIB: Mainly support 1C-3C charging; high-rate LIBs come with extra cost.

6. Safety Performance

SIB: Higher thermal runaway temperature, low dendrite risk. Resist fire and explosion under short circuit or extrusion.
LIB: Poor thermal stability, prone to lithium dendrite growth; higher fire risk under extreme abuse.

7. Cycle Life

SIB: 15,000+ cycles for energy storage type; 2000-3000 cycles for power type.
LIB: 6000-12000 cycles (LFP); 1000-3000 cycles (ternary).

8. Application Scenarios

SIB: Grid energy storage, backup power, low-speed EVs, forklifts, marine batteries and cold-region devices.
LIB: Passenger new energy vehicles, consumer electronics and high-precision equipment.

9. Production Compatibility

Two battery systems share highly compatible production lines. LIB factories can produce SIB with simple modification.
Selection Guide for Sodium-ion Batteries and Lithium-ion Batteries

1. Choose Sodium-ion Batteries (SIB)

Select SIB for projects meeting the following application conditions:
  • Equipment operating in cold and high-altitude areas (extremely low temperature environment, -20℃ to -40℃)
  • Communication base stations and data center backup power supply
  • Low-speed electric vehicles, industrial forklifts and ship starting batteries
  • Unmanned operation scenarios requiring high battery safety

2. Choose Lithium-ion Batteries (LIB)

It is suitable for projects that meet the following application conditions. Please choose LIB:
  • Scenarios requiring long range and lightweight design
  • Scenarios with limited installation space and high energy density requirements
  • New energy vehicles for passenger cars and portable consumer electronics
  • High-precision industrial equipment and conventional commercial applications at room temperature

3. Core Selection Principle

Prioritize lithium-ion batteries for high energy density and long endurance demands; Prioritize sodium-ion batteries for low cost, extreme low temperature resistance and high safety demands.

4. Key Purchase & Application Notes

  • Verify official technical parameters: cycle life, energy density and low-temperature performance data
  • Confirm valid industry certifications (CE, UL, GB) for industrial and energy storage bulk procurement
  • Select proper charge-discharge rate matching actual working load, avoid blind pursuit of high rate
  • Confirm warranty policy and local after-sales maintenance service
  • Use dedicated BMS for sodium-ion batteries; BMS parameters must match battery cell characteristics
Battery Test Items for Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries

1. General Tests (Applicable to both LIB & SIB)

1.1 Basic Electrical Performance Tests

  • Capacity and energy density test
  • Charge & discharge rate performance test
  • Long-term cycle life aging test
  • Overcharge and overdischarge protection test
  • Internal resistance test

1.2 Environmental Adaptability Tests

  • High and low temperature performance test
  • Waterproof and insulation performance test
  • Mechanical vibration test

1.3 Safety Abuse Tests

  • Nail penetration test
  • Extrusion and drop impact test
  • External short circuit test
  • Thermal runaway risk test

2. Special Tests for Lithium-ion Batteries

  • Lithium dendrite growth detection
  • High temperature thermal stability test
  • Flammability and explosion risk assessment
  • High-rate thermal shock test

3. Special Tests for Sodium-ion Batteries

  • Ultra-low temperature (-40℃) full performance test
  • Hard carbon anode structural stability test
  • Special BMS compatibility matching test
  • Long-term floating charge aging test for energy storage

4. Mandatory Certification Tests

All battery products must pass official standard tests: GB, CE, UL certification before batch delivery and commercial application.
Mandatory Export Certifications for Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion Batteries
This document summarizes all mandatory and common optional certifications for exporting Lithium-ion Batteries (LIB) and Sodium-ion Batteries (SIB) worldwide.

1. Global Mandatory Transportation Certifications (All Shipping Modes)

  • UN38.3: Indispensable core certification for cross-border battery transportation
  • UN ID Code: UN3480/UN3481 for lithium-ion batteries; UN3551 for sodium-ion batteries
  • IATA DGR: Compliance qualification for air cargo transportation
  • IMDG Code: Compliance qualification for sea cargo transportation

2. Regional Market Access Certifications

2.1 European Union (EU)

  • CE (LVD+EMC): Mandatory low voltage and electromagnetic compatibility certification
  • RoHS: Restriction of hazardous substances certification

2.2 North America (USA & Canada)

  • UL1973: Safety standard for stationary energy storage batteries
  • UL2271: Safety standard for electric vehicle power batteries

2.3 Global General Certification

  • CB Report: Internationally recognized electrical safety report for fast regional certification conversion

3. Scenario-Specific Professional Certifications

  • Vehicle Batteries: UN R100 (EU automotive battery safety regulation)
  • Stationary Energy Storage Batteries: IEC 62619 (International industry standard)
  • Low-speed & Industrial Batteries: Comply with local target country standard certifications

4. Critical Export Notes

  • UN38.3 test report is the basic prerequisite for all cross-border battery shipment
  • Sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries follow the same regional market access standards
  • Complete all certification tests before mass export and customs declaration
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