r/science • u/Sort_of_Frightening • Sep 10 '23

Chemistry Lithium discovery in U.S. volcano could be biggest deposit ever found

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/lithium-discovery-in-us-volcano-could-be-biggest-deposit-ever-found/4018032.article
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u/Psyclist80 Sep 10 '23

The sodium batteries I have seen are more cost effective, but are heavier and don't have the capacity of thier lithium counterparts. I feel like these will be put in lower end cars, lithium in mid tier, and solid-state in high end cars.

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u/MountainDrew42 Sep 10 '23

Shouldn't we be putting the sodium batteries into powerwalls and megapacks?

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u/RexManning1 Sep 10 '23

They will be. It’s actually easier to use them in non cylindrical shapes.

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u/RexManning1 Sep 10 '23

Would you agree the lower end EVs are really what is needed in the market? Most of the world cannot afford the high prices of US and Euro branded EVs.

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u/Psyclist80 Sep 10 '23

100% when you can give more of society access to EV as an option that helps adoption rates and our overall transition for sure. Moving from a single source element like lithium, to more plentiful sources like sodium makes sense as well, less Geo political protectionist BS due to scaricity of rare elements.

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u/RexManning1 Sep 10 '23

Exactly my thought. We have Chinese branded EVs here are some are quite good. BYD has excellent battery technology. XPeng has great autonomous technology. The BYD Dolphin starts at the equivalent of $20k USD and if the battery was cheaper, the barrier to entry would compete with the most affordable ICE cars.

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u/Tooluka Sep 10 '23

One type would win probably, simply due to economic of scale.