Stellantis invests in cheaper, safer sodium-ion EV batteries

Stellantis has inked a deal with French battery-maker Tiamat that could slash the cost of electric cars across the auto giant’s stable, which covers brands such as Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Peugeot and Fiat.

According to Stellantis, the deal with Tiamat, which is owned by the French National Centre for Scientific Research, will secure supply of its next-generation sodium-ion battery tech.

Said to cost a third to produce compared to regular lithium-ion cells, sodium-ion batteries are considered by many to be the missing ingredient that could see EVs reach price parity with equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

Better still, sodium-ion cells are said to be faster to charge, safer to use with much less chance of thermal runaway and do not require lithium, cobalt or nickel.

The sodium needed for them is also plentiful and cheap to produce and can be sourced in Europe rather than China or developing countries.

The disadvantages with sodium-ion batteries is they have a lower energy density and, based on early prototypes, a shorter useable lifespan, although it’s thought the latter may soon be addressed.

As part of the new Stellantis-Tiamat deal, the car-making giant will build a new battery factory in France.

Initially, it’s been reported that the first batteries to roll off the line will be for power tools and energy storage devices before eventually switching to batteries that will power cars.

The batteries that will go on to power EVs will have a power density of 2-5kW per kilogram and retain up to 80 per cent of their charge after 5000 charge cycles.

As well as building the factory, Stellantis is expected to co-develop a new battery that’s set to slash EV battery weight by 50 per cent.

The car-making group has not detailed its new lightweight technologies, nor has it disclosed the investment it has made into Tiamat.

Stellantis has also invested in US company Lytten to develop new lithium-sulphur batteries that are said to offer energy densities well above traditional lithium-ion batteries.

“Sodium-ion technology offers a lower cost per kilowatt-hour and is free of lithium and cobalt,” Stellantis said in a statement. “Abundantly available sodium offers benefits in increased sustainability and material sovereignty.”

The company confirmed it is on track to secure 400GWh of battery capacity by 2030 that will allow it to achieve a 100 per cent EV mix in Europe and a 50 per cent mix in the US.

Chinese car-making giant BYD is also investing in sodium-ion batteries, ploughing an incredible $US1.2 billion ($A1.8b) into the world’s largest sodium battery plant in Xuzhou in China. That plant will supply batteries for both small cars and scooters.

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