The race is still on for the best battery, with challengers to lithium-ion technology abounding. Not all of these are made equal, and it’s questionable if any would be able to dethrone li-ion batteries, but the market may turn out to be big enough for more than one technology. Lithium-ion has been the dominant rechargeable battery technology for years, and there’s a good reason for this.
Natron Energy, a California-based battery maker, announced this week the start of commercial production at its battery factory in Holland, Michigan. The factory will produce sodium batteries that, per the company, feature “higher power, faster recharge, longer life-cycle, and a completely safe and stable chemistry.” Faster charge and discharge times are one of the biggest advantages of sodium batteries over their lithium rivals.