THE latest batteries that are “much cheaper” could slash the price of electric vehicles by hundreds of pounds as they roll out of factories.
Sodium ion batteries ( SIBs) , free from lithium and cobalt, are around 30% cheaper than lithium ion versions.
SIBS had been tipped to transform the EV market in the future, but experts predicted they would not enter the mass market for some time. But now it appears manufacturers are embracing SIBS.
Batteries represent around 40% of the cost of an electric vehicle, and experts now predict the cheaper SIBs could bring down the price of EVs.
Chinese car manufacturer JAC announced it was shipping a small
electric car from its Yiwei brand equipped with a SIB from Hina Battery.
JMEV, another Chinese firm, also announced the rollout of a new EV powered by SIBs from Farasis Energy.
Manufacturers are now working to try and boost SIBs energy density, from 140-160Wh/kg to 160-180Wh/kg.
Beyond their price SIBs have other advantages, working well in cold weather and credited for their safety.
Chinese giant CATL , Sweden’s Northvolt and Sheffield-based Faradion are all reported to be developing versions of the battery.
Renault supremo Luca De Meo recently called on European manufacturers to consider hydrogen as an alternative to electric.
Luca De Meo has backed hydrogen as the way forward for car manufacturers to meet targets on lower emissions.
Mr De Meo said that the EV market was now dominated by China and that Europe’s car makers should aspire toward a mix of favoured transport fuels , including hydrogen.
Bentley is gearing up to launch, in 2025, the first of five electric models that will make up its model range by 2030.
Bentley’s design director Robin Page told Autocar: “You have to be honest about the fact that an EV doesn’t need a full, open grille so there’s an opportunity for a new kind of front feature, a chance to play with lights perhaps.
“Then, of course, your car has to be distinctive from a distance: you want people to recognise the new full-electric Bentley for what it is.
“We’ll have failed if it just looks like a heritage car.”
