Our story with sodium-ion starting batteries
Our story with sodium-ion starting batteries
Why do we develop sodium-ion starting batteries?
If lead-acid batteries are not properly recycled, heavy metal lead may seep into the soil and water sources, polluting the environment for a long time. You may not be able to imagine that 1 gram of lead can pollute 100 cubic meters of water. What if it is a whole lead-acid battery? Since its founding, our team has been trying to develop eco-friendly battery technology to replace lead-acid starting batteries, thereby reducing people's dependence on them. In the past 10 years, we have never given up on this goal.
Our team has tested lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, but their performance cannot meet the requirements of starting batteries. Things seemed to be in trouble, but a turning point occurred on a weekday in March 2023, when a friend visited us to introduce their sodium-ion batteries. When we listened carefully to his introduction, our eyes suddenly lit up. Isn't this the battery technology we need? Sodium-ion batteries have abundant raw material resources, are eco-friendly, have excellent temperature performance, and outstanding cranking performance. Sodium-ion batteries have all the conditions to be used as starting batteries.
We conducted extensive performance tests on sodium-ion batteries, which took us 15 months. During this period, we also customized and developed a specified, smart battery management system (BMS) for sodium-ion batteries. As the tests continued to deepen, we accumulated a large amount of test data. After our R&D team analyzed this data, we became more convinced of the inherent technical advantages of sodium-ion batteries as starting batteries.
In fact, we are not alone. Some of our customers are also very optimistic about the future of sodium-ion batteries, and are always paying attention to the testing and development progress of our sodium-ion batteries. When we shared all the test data with them in July 2024, we all believed that it was time to move forward our ambitious plans. We started designing a series of sodium-ion starting batteries and launched a proof-of-concept (POC) project for them in Q1 2025. This project will invite our customers to participate in user-end testing and verification of sodium-ion start-stop batteries. This project will last until Q2 2026. During this period, we will summarize all test data and share it with our customers.
Advantages of sodium-ion starting batteries
Temperature adaptability - Sodium-ion batteries have good temperature adaptability and can cope with the complex temperature environment faced by starting batteries. Sodium-ion batteries can still maintain their cold cranking performance at minus 30 degrees Celsius and support charging in low temperature without degradation. At the same time, sodium-ion batteries also have good high-temperature performance, which can effectively avoid the occurrence of thermal runaway.
High power - Sodium-ion batteries are excellent at charge and discharge. At room temperature, the charge rate can reach up to 3C. At -18 degrees, the pulse discharge rate can still reach 10C, providing a stable and reliable current for vehicle starting.
Life cycle - The life cycle of sodium-ion batteries is up to 2,000 times, which is 4 times that of AGM batteries. The ultra-long service life of sodium-ion batteries ensures that they can work stably on vehicles for 5-10 years, whether they are used as start-stop batteries or starting batteries.
Intelligent management - Our sodium-ion starting battery has a built-in intelligent battery management system (BMS). The intelligent BMS achieves users to monitor the battery status through App. BMS also gives the sodium-ion starting battery the function of emergency start, which ensures users to start their vehicle anytime and anywhere.
Comparison between sodium-ion start-stop battery and AGM start-stop battery
Environmental - Compared with lead-acid batteries, sodium-ion batteries are more eco-friendly in production, use, and recycling, and are less likely to cause environmental impact. Any irregular operation of lead-acid batteries in production, use, and recycling may cause serious land and water pollution, thereby affecting the health of community.
Performance - Compared with AGM batteries, sodium-ion start-stop batteries have a coulombic efficiency of up to 99% (coulombic efficiency = discharge capacity/charge capacity). Sodium-ion start-stop batteries are more efficient and reliable than AGM start-stop batteries.
Emergency start - The built-in emergency start function of the sodium-ion start-stop battery can effectively prevent the battery from being over-discharged due to long-term parking or continuous use of on-board electronic equipment when the vehicle is parked. Users can start their vehicles successfully by clicking the emergency start button in the NaPALION App.
Cost of use - Compared with 500 life cycles of AGM batteries, the life cycle of sodium-ion start-stop batteries is up to 2,000 times. Sodium-ion start-stop batteries can significantly reduce the comprehensive cost of use for clients, comparing with repeat purchase and related installation labor cost of AGM start-stop batteries.
Frequently asked questions of sodium-ion batteries
What is a sodium-ion battery?
Sodium-ion battery (SIB) is a secondary battery (rechargeable battery) that uses sodium ions (Na⁺) as charge carriers. Its working principle is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries. During the charge and discharge process, Na⁺ is embedded and extracted back and forth between the positive and negative electrodes, and electrons form current through the external circuit. Sodium-ion batteries are mainly composed of positive electrode materials, negative electrode materials and electrolytes.
Are sodium-ion batteries eco-friendly?
Sodium-ion batteries are eco-friendly, whether in the mining of raw materials or in the manufacturing of sodium-ion batteries. Note sodium-ion batteries cannot be treated as general waste and must be specially recycled and treated as hazardous waste or electronic waste.
Are sodium-ion batteries safe?
The thermal stability of sodium-ion batteries is significantly better than that of lithium-ion batteries. The safety of sodium-ion battery systems also requires excellent design, whether in mechanics or electronics.
What is the expected service life of a sodium-ion battery?
The standard life cycle of sodium-ion batteries is 2,000 times. If the actual operating conditions of different vehicles are taken into account, the expected service life of sodium-ion start-stop batteries is 5-10 years.
How long can sodium-ion batteries last without maintenance?
Sodium-ion batteries are not afraid of over-discharge due to their unique chemical system. Even if they are discharged to 0V and kept for a few months, there is no degradation. Therefore, sodium-ion batteries can be stored for up to 12 months without maintenance.
Can a sodium-ion start-stop battery fit my vehicle?
Our sodium-ion start-stop batteries are direct replacements for AGM start-stop batteries of the same size. They are compatible with the generators of different vehicles and keep them in optimal working condition. For more information, please contact our technicians for help.
Can I get an alert if my sodium-ion battery behaves abnormally?
Any abnormality will be recorded in the history log and reported to the NaPALION App. You only need to use your mobile phone, or tablet PC to connect to the App to get details.
Where to buy your sodium-ion start-stop batteries?
Our sodium-ion start-stop battery is currently in the proof-of-concept (POC) stage. It is expected that clients will be able to purchase our sodium-ion start-stop battery from distributors, or retailers starting from Q3 2026.
If you would like to participate in our POC program and are interested in distributing our sodium-ion start-stop batteries, please contact us by info@deford.com.cn, we look forward to cooperate with customers based on win-win relationship.