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Journalism of Courage
Japanese accessory maker Elecom recently unveiled the world’s first sodium-ion power bank. Dubbed ‘Na Plus’, this power bank has a capacity of 9,000mAh and has almost ten times the lifecycle compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Elecom’s power bank can deliver 45W of power via the USB-C PD port while the USB-A port offers up to 18W power. The device weighs 350 grams, which is a bit higher than typical lithium powered batteries. Available in two colourways – light grey and black, the Elecom Na Plus can be purchased for 9,980 yen, which roughly translates to Rs 5,750.
Compared to the traditional lithium-ion batteries that power everything from vehicles to smartphones, sodium-ion battery packs are more eco-friendly and safer to use. It has a lifespan of about 5,000 charge cycles, which is approximately ten times longer than typical lithium ion batteries, which usually have a life of 500 cycles.
Another advantage these batteries have over Lithium-ion is that they are less prone to overheating and can be used in extreme temperatures ranging from -35 to 50 degree Celsius.
Lithium-ion batteries have been dominating the market since the 1990s, but they are toxic for the environment and are hard to dispose of. However, sodium-ion batteries are currently more expensive than their lithium counterparts and have a lower energy density, meaning that they are heavier.
But since sodium is pretty abundant and easier to produce, the technology might someday catch up with lithium batteries and even replace them as an eco-friendly alternative.
