An Alternative To Li-Ion Batteries: KPIT Introduces Sodium-Ion Batteries
KPIT Technologies, a Pune-based software integration company focused on the automotive and mobility ecosystem, has launched sodium-ion battery technology aimed at reducing import dependence on nuclear battery materials.
Ravi Pandit, co-founder and chairman of KPIT, said the new technology is expected to reduce the cost of electric vehicle batteries by 25-30% compared to existing lithium-ion batteries.
As lithium-ion batteries drive the global transition to electric vehicles, countries including India are vying for advantage through localization of supply chains. Currently, 70% of India’s cell imports come from neighboring countries, creating risks given geopolitical tensions.
It is projected that the Indian Li-ion battery market will grow from 4 GWh in 2022 to 120 GWh by 2030, which will require cell manufacturers to scale up and innovate rapidly into the market’s 53% CAGR. As a result, KPIT claims that India will be less dependent on imports of core battery materials.
KPIT joins a group of small, sustainability-focused organizations around the world that have developed sodium-ion batteries. This battery technology has multiple use cases in automotive and mobility, especially electric two- and three-wheelers and commercial vehicles. It is used in stationary applications such as UPS backup and grid storage, as well as in the marine and defense sectors.
According to KPIT, sodium-ion battery technology offers a longer lifespan with 80% capacity retention over 3000 to 6000 cycles and faster-charging capability compared to lithium-ion batteries.
As KPIT continues its development work on sodium-ion batteries, it is also considering partnering with battery manufacturers to produce batteries using its proprietary technology.
Pandit added in a statement that as the electric mobility ecosystem matures, there is a focus on introducing alternative battery technologies and localizing the storage value chain. The company’s sodium-ion battery technology, based solely on the Earth’s rich raw materials, is further evidence of KPIT’s commitment to sustainable mobility in its ecosystem.
He said lithium availability was a global concern. In the case of oil, availability is concentrated in just a few countries, and the same may be true of lithium, where supplies are concentrated in countries such as China and Bolivia. The concern was to ensure that electric cars did not end up in the same situation.
Lithium-ion batteries have dominated vehicle electrification for the past decade, but the recent surge in demand for electric vehicles has put a strain on the battery supply chain. Therefore, diversification into new battery technologies such as sodium-ion batteries is important.
India aims to electrify 30% of its fleet by 2030, according to an EY report. The domestic electric vehicle market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 49% from 2022 to 2030, reaching annual sales of 10 million units by 2030. Achievement Achieving this goal will require addressing challenges such as the high cost of electric vehicle batteries, dependence on imports for key battery raw materials, and lack of Indian cell technology.
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