How Sodium-Ion Batteries Work

Simple comparison with lithium-ion technology

🔋 Lithium-Ion Battery
Anode
(Graphite)
Li+
Li+
Li+
âš¡
Lithium ions move through electrolyte
Cathode
(Li Metal Oxide)

Current Standard

  • High energy density
  • Mature technology
  • Lightweight
  • But: Expensive lithium mining
🧂 Sodium-Ion Battery
Anode
(Hard Carbon)
Na+
Na+
Na+
âš¡
Sodium ions move through electrolyte
Cathode
(Na Metal Oxide)

Emerging Alternative

  • Abundant sodium (salt!)
  • Much lower cost
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Same basic principle

🔑 The Key Difference

Both batteries work the same way - ions shuttle back and forth between electrodes to store and release energy. Sodium-ion simply swaps expensive, rare lithium for abundant, cheap sodium from salt!