Featured Discussion: NexPower V3 Sodium-ion Battery Announcement

Looks like NexPower might offer a $450 V3 upgrade option. If true, this is potentially a worthwhile upgrade (this is a forward looking statement, pending my actual review of the V3 system).

 

I've absolutely enjoyed watching the lithium landscape unfold over the past twenty years.
For those that don't mind reading text and graphs, Hype Cycle Assessment of Emerging Technologies for Battery Production outlines what the future roadmap might look like. Published ~18 months ago (2023FEB), but still insightful.

Here are some key points that stuck out to me (and also my various thoughts):
-Their 4680 cell assessment is spot on: "trough of disillusionment" phase. If you're unfamiliar, Tesla is having a tough time realizing the virtues they claimed this cell would offer. Rumor mill states Elon has given the 4680 team until the end of 2024 to shape up.
-Na-ion is at the "peak of inflated expectations" phase. For reference, NMC lithium is at the "plateau of productivity" phase.
-Na-ion is in the "transformative" technology potential class, which makes it a holy grail item. However, this team predicts Na-ion won't be a mature product for another "5-10 years" (which as of today is 3.5-8.5 years). IMO, that would likely only happen if elusive solid state lithium cells don't make it to market first.