Inner combustion engine powered automobiles have a gasoline tank wherein chemical power is packed within the type of petrol/diesel/CNG/PNG. Likewise, electrical automobiles have a battery pack meeting wherein power producing cells are packed.
The batteries utilized in ICE powered automobiles are for the aim of beginning the engine whereas the battery of an EV is supposed to supply energy to the automobile for its mobility. Two battery applied sciences – sodium-ion and lithium-ion – have been most promising for numerous purposes, every having distinctive strengths and weaknesses, making it appropriate for various purposes.
Sodium-ion battery was developed within the Seventies and early Nineteen Eighties whereas lithium-ion battery was developed by the Nineties which demonstrated larger power density, thus, confirmed larger business promise. Excessive power Li-ion storage batteries have been first developed and commercialized by Sony Company of Japan in 1991 revolutionizing the power storage trade.
Li-ion batteries have since then turn into the dominant know-how in electrical automobiles (EVs), moveable electronics, and grid storage purposes. The Li-ion battery, first developed for electronics utility, was later developed into a big power storage EV battery that would ship power ranges much like fossil gasoline utilized in conventional ICE automobiles.
Although the Li-ion battery was first developed in Japan, it was China that made nice strides in giant Li-ion batteries wanted in vehicles. At the moment, 60% of the worldwide demand for batteries is met by Chinese language Li-ion battery producers. Korea at 22% and Japan at round 8% maintain the 2nd and third place in EV battery manufacturing and provide.
Modern Amperex Expertise Firm Restricted (CABL) is the most important battery producer in China adopted by BYD and between them, they’ve 52% of the worldwide market share. Final 12 months (2023), 85% of Indian EV battery imports valuing $2.1 billion got here from China. Ola Electrical, which has been importing its battery cells from CABL of China and LG Electronics of Korea, is the primary Indian firm to arrange an EV battery cell manufacturing plant in Tamilnadu.
Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance, Amara Raja and Excide have introduced their plan for EV battery manufacturing.
India must develop a dependable upstream provide chain. Fortunately, lithium has been found in Reasi (J&Okay) and Katghora (Chhattisgarh). To assist the battery producers, the federal government of India has come out with a complicated cell chemistry (ACC) manufacturing linked incentive (PLI) scheme to assist 50 GWH battery manufacturing offering an outlay of INR 18,100 crore.
The battery pack is the primary price (30-40%) in EV adopted by the primary physique (20-30%), electrical motor (15-20%), energy electronics (10-15%), inside and infotainment (10-15%) and thermal administration system (5-10%). The Li-ion battery utilized in EVs mainly consists of a cathode (sometimes made from lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, or different lithium compounds), an anode (often graphite), and an electrolyte that facilitates the motion of lithium ions between the 2 electrodes whereas charging and discharging of the battery.
The cathode, which usually consists of metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese is the most costly a part of the battery. Anode is often constructed from graphite or silicon-based supplies whereas mostly used electrolyte consists of lithium salt, corresponding to LiPF6 in an natural resolution. Additional, there’s a membrane made from Polyolefin or Ceramic-Coated materials to separate the anode and the cathode whereas permitting ion circulate throughout charging and discharging. In such EV batteries, the cell supplies are the main price (60-70%).
Not solely are Li-ion batteries costlier in comparison with Ni-ion batteries however they’re vulnerable to catching hearth. A number of incidences of fireside have been noticed in EVs everywhere in the world; the hearth emanated out of the battery pack. For instance, in Incheon, Korea a Mercedes-Benz caught hearth within the underground car parking zone of an house advanced. Firefighters struggled for greater than eight hours to extinguish the blaze. Investigation confirmed that the reason for the hearth was overheating of the battery.
Again house in India, there have been fairly a number of instances of fireside in automobiles and scooters. The investigations confirmed poor high quality of battery, overheating of battery and quick circuit. Subsequently, security of Li-ion batteries has turn into a priority for the producers in addition to customers. Within the deployment of battery applied sciences, particularly in purposes like electrical automobiles, security of the battery is essential. Li-ion batteries have improved in high quality over time and are actually usually secure however in case of thermal runaway, they’re nonetheless vulnerable to fires or explosions beneath sure circumstances. Excessive power density, on one hand is helpful for EV however on the opposite this proves to be an awesome weak point due to the flammability of the natural electrolytes utilized in Li-ion batteries.
Na-ion batteries which have decrease power density use safer supplies that are much less vulnerable to thermal runaway, due to this fact, this battery know-how is a gorgeous choice. Moreover, it’s 30% more cost effective in comparison with Li-ion batteries. Each Na and Li belong to group 1 of the periodic desk however Li is a uncommon materials whereas Na is present in abundance.
Electronics trade makes use of Na-ion batteries in abundance whereas grid energy storage makes use of this on account of price profit and security. Analysis is occurring in numerous laboratories everywhere in the world to pack extra power per unit weight. As soon as it matches the power density of Li-ion batteries, it should turn into the popular alternative of all producers and customers. Although lithium deposits have been found in our nation in Reasi and Katghora, it should take a very long time to extract lithium. The refining of lithium remains to be distant making us reliable on China for downstream battery manufacturing.
Of late, Reliance Industries has bought Faradion, a UK start-up growing sodium ion batteries. They suggest to take a position an extra $35 million in Faradion for accelerating the commercialization of its merchandise, together with batteries for electrical automobiles. Together with commercialization, they’ll do effectively to put money into R&D to deliver current power density of 150 Watt hour/kg to 200 Watt-hr/kg which is able to open for them the EV market as effectively.
A severe thought must be given to the event of correct Na-ion battery manufacturing know-how suiting EV utility. Our nation has an abundance of sodium being surrounded by sea on three sides.
(The writer is former MD of Scooters India Ltd., presently serving as Distinguished Professor; Views are private)
