With the “Electrification of Everything" already well underway, and the global EV market driving demand for great innovation in mobile power and efficiency, the race for technological solutions is nearing a sprint level. 

By now we're all familiar with Lithium-ion batteries. They work well for the most part, and they've been the key driver in much of the battery breakthrough to date. But they have some downsides, including risk of fire, inadequate supply chain, poor labor standards in mining countries, environmental concerns, and of course geopolitical challenges between economic powers.

On the other side you have the shiny new challenger: Sodium-ion batteries. These types of batteries do not generate the same challenges listed above. The trade-off, however, is that Sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density, meaning EVs using this type of power wouldn't be able to drive as far as Lithium-ion without needing a recharge. This is a key barrier of entry for many potential EV buyers. 

The article linked below talks about the growth and expansion of new Sodium-ion battery manufacturing. It's going to become an alternative in the next few years, for sure. But we'll see if it “wins” the battle of the battery technology. 

It's anticipated that “solid-state batteries” will be here by the end of the decade and could potentially topple both Lithium-ion and Sodium-Ion in terms of safety and performance.