Indian researchers have developed a fast-charging sodium-ion battery, a potential game-changer in the search for lithium alternatives in energy storage technology.
The team, led by scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), created a battery that charges in minutes and offers stable performance. The innovation could reduce reliance on lithium, which is limited in supply and mostly imported.
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, the new sodium-ion battery uses sodium — a more abundant and cost-effective element. According to the researchers, the battery maintained 90% of its capacity after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles.
The breakthrough addresses a critical challenge in the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors: creating scalable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable battery systems. Sodium’s wide availability in India adds a strategic advantage for domestic manufacturing.
ARCI officials noted that the battery’s fast-charging capability makes it especially suitable for e-mobility and grid-level energy storage applications. The technology is currently being optimized for commercial scalability.
India’s push for clean energy and electric vehicles has fueled interest in alternative battery chemistries. The success of this project could mark a significant step forward in building a self-reliant and sustainable energy storage ecosystem.
