The EVs of the future — those arriving after 2025 — could shift to sodium-ion or lithium-sulfur battery cells that could be up to two-thirds cheaper than today’s lithium-ion cells. Sodium-ion batteries do not yet store enough energy, while sulfur cells tend to corrode quickly and do not last long. China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (新能源科技) has said it plans to begin producing sodium-ion cells next year. Michigan-based Amandarry and British start-up AMTE Power are developing sodium-ion batteries using sodium chloride — basically table salt — as the main cathode ingredient. Battery developers hope they can add sodium ion and lithium sulfur batteries to the range open to the auto industry.
