Whereas battery applied sciences like sodium-ion have garnered consideration for all the appropriate causes, one section that stands to learn considerably is the heavy-duty trucking and logistics sector. Because the world pushes for cleaner alternate options, sodium-ion batteries might be pivotal in shifting the sector away from typical fuels. Presently, sodium-ion batteries are largely deployed for stationary power storage and are present process trials for electrical vans in nations reminiscent of China.
Why Sodium-Ion Makes Sense for Heavy Vans
Consultants spotlight a spread of advantages sodium-ion batteries supply for business purposes. Other than their potential value financial savings, the sodium-ion batteries supply a lot greater resistance to temperature, sustaining 90per cent of its obtainable energy at -40 levels Celsius. This makes them ideally suited for vans working in excessive climate situations the place conventional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries usually falter.
Furthermore, aggressive braking and acceleration, that are frequent in trucking operations, place extra stress on EV motors and speed up battery drain. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), with their means to carry power extra steadily, are much less susceptible to such sudden efficiency drops, say consultants.
Rajat Mahajan, Associate and Automotive sector chief, Deloitte India and Anish Mandal, Associate, Deloitte India, shares, “With latest developments in power density, sodium-ion batteries can supply journey ranges like typical LFP batteries at a decrease value, making practically all business purposes extra reasonably priced.”
They add, “Any discount in an electrical fleet’s capital prices would imply greater charges of adoption, with a wider vary of possible use circumstances and routes.”
On the security entrance, sodium-ion batteries supply two important benefits. Firstly, some sodium-ion variants use electrolytes which can be much less flammable than these in lithium-ion counterparts, thereby decreasing fireplace dangers. Secondly, these batteries may be saved and transported at 0per cent state-of-charge with much less degradation, whereas lithium-ion batteries should keep a minimal cost with a purpose to guarantee longevity. This makes transporting sodium-ion batteries a lot safer.
In accordance with S&P World’s estimates sodium-ion batteries can ultimately obtain as much as 28per cent decrease materials prices in comparison with lithium-ion. Whereas the present prices stay greater as a result of lithium-ion provide chain being far bigger and extra developed with main gamers having vertically built-in provide chain. Few massive world gamers are engaged on sodium-ion batteries and its software on heavy responsibility vans. “We’re but to see any business deployment although,” says Mahajan and Mandal.
India’s Second in Sodium-ion Battery R&D
Chatting with ETAuto, Abhinanda Sengupta, a researcher from Indian Institute of Know-how (IIT) Bombay and winner of KPIT Shodh Awards 2025 for her thesis – Mechanistic Insights of Heteroatom-doped Layered Oxide Cathode Supplies for Subsequent-gen Na-ion Batteries, believes sodium-ion has robust potential for grid storage, heavy-load vans, and submarines.
“Sodium is much extra plentiful than lithium, giving India a major alternative to guide within the analysis and improvement of this know-how,” she notes. She additionally highlights sodium-ion’s greater cycle life and extra sustainable provide chain in comparison with lithium-based alternate options.
Some gamers declare that their second-generation sodium-ion batteries, have achieved an power density of 175 Wh/kg, bringing them at par with most LFP batteries in the marketplace. “They declare to offer a 5C fee of charging, reaching from 30per cent to 80per cent cost in ten minutes, and a lifetime of greater than 10,000 cycles” share Mahajan and Mandal.
Nevertheless, the developments in LFP batteries proceed to extend the hole in power density. Few gamers declare cell-level densities of LFPs to be round 205 Wh/kg and a super-fast charging fee of 12C (Second era). “NMC batteries, whereas costlier, can already attain densities better than 300 Wh/kg. With these developments, lithium-ion batteries will proceed to have greater journey ranges than sodium ion,” they share.
Not too long ago, a analysis staff on the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Superior Scientific Analysis (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Division of Science and Know-how (DST) developed a super-fast charging sodium-ion battery (SIB) primarily based on a NASICON-type cathode and anode materials. Led by scientists Prof. Premkumar Senguttuvan and Ph.D. scholar Biplab Patra, the SIBs can cost as much as 80per cent in simply six minutes and final over 3000 cost cycles. The breakthrough know-how blends superior chemistry and nanotechnology, permitting sodium-ions to maneuver quicker and extra safely, enabling each pace and sturdiness in contrast to the traditional SIBs that undergo from sluggish charging and brief lifespan.
OEMs Weigh In: The Volvo Perspective
Sven Wallstrom, VP – Truck Alliances, Volvo Group Vans Know-how, shares on the sidelines of the latest ETAutoTech Summit 2025, “Growth of battery applied sciences is important. We’re working intently throughout the availability chain to determine the appropriate battery know-how that’s not simply secure but in addition environment friendly for future. We’re organising a battery plant in Sweden that speaks of our continued dedication.”
Reflecting that battery applied sciences may not be the very best resolution for all types of purposes, he says, “For long-haul missions, gasoline cells might be a superb resolution.” Along with, inexperienced hydrogen tech is one other promising mobility resolution for the longer term. “We have to develop hydrogen storage, improvement and utilization within the trade. It’s a higher know-how and rather more sustainable as towards BEVs that want costly know-how and house as effectively.”
By 2040, Wallstrom envisions the truck market to be 80per cent electrified, with a mixture of battery-electric and fuel-cell applied sciences. The remaining 20per cent will embrace hydrogen, LNG, and ICE-based options.
On the Indian market, he stresses the significance of presidency incentives to speed up the shift to cleaner applied sciences. “With rising infrastructure and high-speed highways, India is primed for transformation. Incentivising clear transport can substitute the growing older, high-emission fleets nonetheless in operation at the moment.”
Addressing the EV Truck Weight Penalty
Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO, BillionE, highlights on one other important facet of sluggish acceptance of EVs within the trucking world and logistics sector. He shares that the EV vans face a weight penalty of round 2 tonnes on an EV prime of 55 tonnes with a battery pack of 300 kilowatts, impacting payload capability and making them much less aggressive than diesel counterparts.
“We now have advisable to the federal government that EVs be allowed extra payload allowances primarily based on battery measurement,” he says. “This might make the transition economically viable.” Kulkarni additionally agrees that aggressive driving behaviour impacts vary and provide chain reliability. “The trade should innovate not only for security, however for end-to-end effectivity throughout efficiency, payload, and value.”
In accordance with consultants, a few of the challenges sodium-ion batteries might face embrace their inherently greater weight in comparison with lithium batteries, restricted flexibility in being moulded into varied shapes, and a still-developing provide chain.
