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SoylentRox t1_j6f8bbn wrote

Reply to comment by PorkyPigDid911 in Scientists lower price of lithium's best competition - flow batteries - by 20%. Makes the battery effectively equal to or cheaper than lithium ion when spread over 30 years (flow battery lifetimes are effectively infinite with light repowering efforts). by PorkyPigDid911

LFP and Sodium batteries offer a pretty good compromise.

With LFP : their 4000+ cycle life is at least 11 years, possibly 15-20 before they need replacement, depending on the application. They don't use rare earths and have become reasonably cheap per kWh. BYD blades are in the $70-120 a kWh range. (have seen both numbers). You can buy them right now.

With Sodium: similar lifespan and safety benefits of LFP, similar energy density. No use of lithium which means we won't bottleneck on lithium. CATL (world's largest battery manufacturer) promises mass production this year.

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Idiot_Savant_Tinker t1_j6gkmrv wrote

LFP? Like lithium iron phosphate?

Don't we need phosphate to grow food?

Sodium seems really plentiful, though. im excited about those.

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SoylentRox t1_j6gn8qr wrote

We do but it's very cheap and not an issue if some is trapped in batteries.

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rtb001 t1_j6gtgnm wrote

At least 3 major battery makers in China have stated they are planning on mass production of sodium ion batteries sometime this year. Could be very interesting to see how these batteries perform if they do manage it.

BYD is even claiming their sodium battery may be dense enough to go into their cheapest upcoming car, which could be a game changer if it really is feasible.

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