Sodium-ion batteries could make electric cars cheaper - live Auto Rádio at ECAR Show

A new technology could rewrite the rules for more affordable electric cars: sodium-ion batteries.

They are not a recent invention, and until now their practicality as a replacement for the more widespread lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles was considered limited. That has changed. CATL has put them back at the heart of the conversation.

The Chinese giant has recently announced it will begin mass production of sodium batteries for electric cars. On paper, they offer competitive performance compared with lithium-ion LFP batteries, while promising a much lower price per kWh.

We could not ignore the topic. So, on 24 May (Saturday) at 18:15, at the ECAR Show - Salão do Automóvel Híbrido e Elétrico, you can watch a live recording of another episode of Auto Rádio, the Razão Automóvel podcast, supported by Pisca Pisca.

Sodium-ion batteries and cheaper electric cars

Under the theme “Cheaper and without lithium. Will sodium batteries change electric cars?” we will be joined by Dr Helena Braga, a researcher at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, and one of the international names to watch in battery development.

She will help explain why sodium could be the missing ingredient in making electric cars more accessible.

Dr Helena Braga, Auto Rádio and advances in battery technology

This is not the first time we have invited Dr Helena Braga onto Auto Rádio to discuss the progress being made in battery technology. The Portuguese researcher became known for her work on solid electrolytes (solid-state batteries)-another approach that also promises to transform the batteries of the future.

Her research drew the attention of John Goodenough (1922–2023)-Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and one of the inventors of the lithium-ion battery-with whom she later collaborated on solid-state battery research.

More recently, she presented an innovative battery capable of recharging itself using sodium ions (salt). That was the topic that inspired our first live Auto Rádio.

Come and watch live

As noted above, this episode will be recorded in front of an audience on 24 May (Saturday) at 18:15, at the ECAR Show, on the Auto Talks stage. It is an opportunity worth taking.

Audience participation is free, but you must obtain a daily invitation. This invitation grants access to the Auto Talks area, where the podcast will be recorded, but it does not replace the entry ticket to the ECAR Show. Get your invitation now.

Please note: access to the stage depends on capacity at the time of entry, so we recommend arriving a little early.

The ECAR Show will run from 23 to 25 May, at FIL (Feira Internacional de Lisboa), open 10:00 to 20:00 each day.

Tickets are available via the event’s official website and cost 10 euros per person. Until 22 May, they can be purchased for 9 euros. Entry is free for children up to 12 years old. Tickets are available through the event’s official website.

Updated on 22 May: the Auto Rádio time was changed to 18:15