Northvolt’s recent launch of its sodium-ion battery is poised to potentially reduce Europe’s reliance on rare raw materials sourced from China.
“Using sodium-ion technology is not new, but we think this is the first product ever completely free from critical raw materials. It is a fundamental breakthrough,” said Patrik Andreasson, vice president of strategy and sustainability at Northvolt.
“This provides an option that is not dependent on certain parts of the world, including China.”
Members of Parliament have been concerned about the reliance on China’s limited resources for critical raw materials, especially amid strained Anglo-Sino relations and a rapid shift in the automotive industry toward electric vehicles.
As a result, battery manufacturers are actively seeking to diversify their supply chains and explore alternative technologies to address these challenges.
“When you think about energy security, it’s inconceivable to think about operating without leaders. The impact of creating jobs it can bring cannot be underestimated. You need to have local or regional champions,” said Andreasson.
In late 2021, Northvolt produced its first lithium-ion battery cell in northern Sweden. The breakthrough with the sodium-ion cell lies in its use of more common materials, such as iron and sodium, in contrast to the expensive components like nickel, manganese, cobalt, or iron phosphate found in current battery technologies.
The technology is developed in collaboration with research partner Altris at Northvolt’s labs in Västerås, Sweden. While boasting an impressive energy density of over 160 Wh/kg, the battery is intended to underpin Northvolt’s next-generation energy storage solutions.
Sodium Ion Technology’s Significance in Decarbonising Grids
The significance of large-scale electricity storage in batteries is increasingly recognised as a key element in the effort to decarbonise national electricity grids. Such battery projects play a crucial role in storing energy generated from wind and solar panels, providing a reliable power source during periods when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.
“The world has placed great hopes on sodium ions, and I am very happy to say that we have developed a technology that will enable its widespread use. It is an important milestone for Northvolt’s position in the market,” said Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson.
By using iron and sodium, along with a carbon anode and a cathode called “Prussian white,” the technology not only lowers the costs but is also safer at high temperatures.
Plans are underway to showcase the battery to customers next year. Northvolt is eyeing markets in the Middle East, India, and Africa, recognising the technology’s role in achieving global sustainability goals by enhancing the cost-effectiveness and availability of electrification worldwide.
The technology is anticipated to enter large-scale production by 2026, although the company has yet to decide on the location for mass production. Future generations potentially find applications in electric cars and other vehicles.
Electric Cars Lead European Market Growth
October brought positive news for the European car market, as highlighted by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association or ACEA. The car market in the EU demonstrated robust growth, surging by 14.6 percent compared to the same month in the previous year.
A total of 855,484 new cars were registered across Europe during October. One notable highlight is the escalating presence of electric cars in the market, constituting 14.2 percent of the total registrations in October. This figure slightly surpassed the annual average of 14 percent.
In addition, electric cars have now outpaced diesel cars throughout the entire year, commanding a 13.9 percent share in the EU. Meanwhile, the registrations of electric cars in the EU witnessed a surge of 36.3 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 121,808 units in October alone.
Among the fastest-growing markets were Belgium, with a 147.3 percent increase, and Denmark, with a remarkable uptick of 100.7 percent. Even Germany, the largest car market in Europe, grew by 4.3 percent in October compared to the previous year.
Cumulatively, the EU has registered 1.2 million new electric cars in the current year. When considering Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Great Britain in the aggregate, this number expands to 1.63 million.
Sweden, specifically, recorded 90,622 registrations from January to October 2023, marking a substantial growth of 37.4 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.
Volvo FH Electric Clinches 2024 Truck of the Year Award
Volvo’s electric heavy truck, the Volvo FH Electric, has clinched the prestigious “International Truck of the Year 2024” award, reinforcing the industry’s recognition of the vehicle’s outstanding performance and contribution to road transport efficiency.
The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Solutrans Transport Exhibition in Lyon, France. The International Truck of the Year jury commended the Volvo FH Electric for its impressive performance, seamless acceleration, quiet operation, and vibration-free behaviour.
“With the introduction of the FH Electric, Volvo Trucks has delivered a state-of-the-art battery electric vehicle range, suitable for a wide array of transport operations. It’s proof that the energy transition is gaining strength even in today’s challenging business environment,” said Gianenrico Griffini, chairman of International Truck of the Year.
“I am very proud that our Volvo FH Electric has won this highly respected award. For the first time in history, the transport industry has chosen an electric vehicle as Truck of the Year,” Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks, said in response to the award.
“The Volvo FH Electric represents a new era in trucking, and winning this award clearly shows that the shift to zero-emission transport is happening here and now.”
The International Truck of the Year award evaluates trucks introduced to the market in the past year, considering criteria such as technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, energy efficiency, environmental impact, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
“I sincerely want to thank everyone who has contributed to this success. It’s based on great teamwork with passion and dedication among our fantastic colleagues within the Volvo Group, and close cooperation with our valued customers, partners and suppliers,” said Alm.
Volvo Trucks was the first global manufacturer to start a series of electric truck productions in 2019. Today, the company has a broad electric line-up with a total of six electric trucks designed to handle a wide variety of transport assignments. Volvo Trucks is leading the market for heavy electric trucks in Europe with a market share of 49 percent.
This victory marks the fourth occasion that Volvo’s iconic FH model has been honoured as Truck of the Year, with nearly 1.4 million trucks sold globally. The Volvo FH Electric is capable of operating at a total of 44 tonnes. It commenced production in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2022 and later in Ghent, Belgium, in 2023.