EV revolution

[HungSowel]

Saw an article couple weeks ago that GM was moving to replace current lithium-ion batteries with these new sodium ion batteries. Has there been any confirmation of this?

No idea about GM, but it is probably true as the economics and practicality of sodium batteries are irresistible. Every EV maker probably has sodium batteries on their itinerary.

I recently saw a glowing review of a largeish (1600Wh I think) battery bank that used sodium ion, it is from a big and popular power bank company. To me that is a strong go signal for sodium ion batteries, CATL is probably running 24/7 pumping out these things.

 

[HungSowel]

They have and are training vast numbers of battery researchers and engineers thats how. The new CATL cells will cost 19 KWH and actually have decent energy density. They are also working on battery packs which combine LI and NA, with some very interesting attributes.

When it comes to battery chemistry, it is usually a long winding road, the easy problems are solved first, the hard problems you solve last so I did not expect progress to explode in the past year. If I had to guess, CATL is using AI to help them make the final breakthroughs.

 

[nottyboi]

When it comes to battery chemistry, it is usually a long winding road, the easy problems are solved first, the hard problems you solve last so I did not expect progress to explode in the past year. If I had to guess, CATL is using AI to help them make the final breakthroughs.

It used to be, but so much work is being done that they know much faster how to deal with problem that they see.

 

[WoodPeckr]

The Bolt is back.
The Bolt EUV was my first EV. Leased it 3 years ago. It was solid, overall had no problems with it and it saved me tons of money compared to ICE vehicles owned before. Lease payments were $215/month with no money down! Far more inexpensive than any other EV or ICE vehicle. This new Bolt should be about the same in price.

Below is an excellent review telling about the new 2026 Bolt returning next year and what it offers. It is better than the Bolt EUV I had and about the same price.

 

[nottyboi]

Latest EV motor 13kg ...1000 HP!!!

 

[WoodPeckr]

BYD in China is working to make Big Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric companies and even Nuclear power ALL obsolete in in the future!

 

[CousinVinnie]

BYD in China is working to make Big Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric companies and even Nuclear power ALL obsolete in in the future!

A lot more than Big Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric companies and even Nuclear power will be obsolete in the future. lol

 

[HungSowel]

CATL already has sodium batteries. BYD might be projected to be cheaper than CATL, but the price in the headline is the projected price for 25 million, my guess, full battery packs sold per annum. LFP is still cheaper than sodium batteries on the market and that battery type is mature so performance, durability, etc... are better.

I am more excited about solid state batteries than sodium batteries. With that said, if LFP was all that we will ever have; EVs still make economic and convenience sense.

 

[WoodPeckr]

It is reported BYD has been putting sodium batteries in most of their EVs this year. BYD has abandoned Lithium batteries. CATL projects in a year or two sodium batteries will be far cheaper than any other battery. Sodium batteries, have a drive range almost triple that of Lithium batteries, recharge faster, plus retain 90% of that range in cold weather and are projected to last 30 years. Your battery will most likely outlast the EV itself.

Canada will allow these superior Chinese EVs to be imported. While Big Oil and Detroit in the USA are blocking them from the USA.

 

[anon1]

A lot more than Big Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric companies and even Nuclear power will be obsolete in the future. lol

( Car)Insurance companies.

 

[HungSowel]

It is reported BYD has been putting sodium batteries in most of their EVs this year. BYD has abandoned Lithium batteries. CATL projects in a year or two sodium batteries will be far cheaper than any other battery. Sodium batteries, have a drive range almost triple that of Lithium batteries, recharge faster, plus retain 90% of that range in cold weather and are projected to last 30 years. Your battery will most likely outlast the EV itself.

Canada will allow these superior Chinese EVs to be imported. While Big Oil and Detroit in the USA are blocking them from the USA.

I suspect alot of that is fluff and based on future wishful thinking.

The sodium batteries that are on the market now, have a lower energy density that LFP, lower rated charge cycles, and are more expensive than LFP. They do have better cold weather performance and are safer.

Sodium batteries are still new, after a few years of improvements, I can see them surpassing LFP in every metric.

 

[MONTYY]

Give me gas powered cars any day of the week.

 

[princekwekua]

Toyota bZ5 is an all-electric crossover SUV jointly developed by Toyota and BYD, featuring a BYD-supplied Blade LFP battery, a 200 kW (272 hp) front motor, and a CLTC driving range of up to 630 km.

It has a 15.5 inch screen and sells for just $18,000 in China. The Tesla Model Y sells for $40,000

 

[szechuanstyle]

Toyota bZ5 is an all-electric crossover SUV jointly developed by Toyota and BYD, featuring a BYD-supplied Blade LFP battery, a 200 kW (272 hp) front motor, and a CLTC driving range of up to 630 km.

It has a 15.5 inch screen and sells for just $18,000 in China. The Tesla Model Y sells for $40,000

Prices are so nice, wish we'd get them that price or around that price even here it'd make a hell of an incentive to get an EV

 

[panopud]

Prices are so nice, wish we'd get them that price or around that price even here it'd make a hell of an incentive to get an EV

doubtful probably gonna cost somewhere in the middle or slightly less than the tesla

 

[princekwekua]

Toyota is about to change the game entirely and transition to solid state batteries. Until then, they are relying on BYD for LFP batteries to fill the gap.

Toyota targets a commercial launch for its first all-solid-state battery electric vehicles between 2027 and 2028.
First-generation cells aim to deliver roughly 621 miles (1,000 km) of driving range and a 10-minute charge time (10% to 80%), relying on sulfide electrolyte chemistry

Proposed Performance Goals

• • Range: ~621 miles (1,000 km) for generation one; up to 745 miles (1,200 km) for future iterations.
  • Charging Speed: 10 to 80 percent charge in about 10 minutes.
  • Design Benefits: Higher energy density, lighter weight, and a smaller physical footprint than conventional liquid lithium-ion packs.

 

[panopud]

solid state batteries are the ones byd use right? about damn time those ones have insane range

 

[princekwekua]

solid state batteries are the ones byd use right? about damn time those ones have insane range

No, BYD uses LFP batteries.

 

[nottyboi]

Geely has announced that in 2027 they will switch completely to solid state batteries. The energy density will DOUBLE. Normally it takes 5 years to double battery energy density, so this is revolutionary. So the cars will have 1000+ km range OR they can significantly reduce weight and cost, and deliver vehicles with an entirely reasonable 5-600km range. Who really needs a car with 1000 km range? I would much rather shave 800lbs off the beast and reduce the cost by 8K at the retail level

 

[ZenFox]

read through all of this

the technical stuff is useful but the real question is still whether an ev makes sense for you specifically

if you have a garage and a second car
and you mostly drive in the city
ev is a no brainer

if you park on the street
or you do long drives in winter
or you cant charge at home
the math changes completely

the tech will keep improving
but the decision is still about your situation
not about which battery chemistry is better