Japanese company Elecom has launched sales of the world’s first sodium-ion power banks. The devices are declared frost-resistant and fire-safe, which is something lithium-ion batteries, which are used in the vast majority of portable energy storage devices, cannot boast of. The company’s supply is limited, which prevents one person from buying more than three devices.
Image source: Elecom
In the future, using sodium ions instead of lithium ions in batteries promises to make energy storage devices significantly cheaper than modern ones. There is a lot of sodium on Earth, unlike the rather modest reserves of lithium. Also, sodium salt batteries are fireproof and do not explode like lithium batteries. Finally, sodium is not characterized by increased toxicity to the environment, while lithium cannot be safely disposed of.
The power bank offered by Elecom has a capacity of 9000 mAh. The weight of the device reaches 350 g. Its dimensions are 87 × 31 × 106 mm. Through the built-in USB-C PD port, the new product delivers 45 W of power, and through the USB-A port – 18 W. The declared number of charge cycles reaches 5000, which is significantly more than the capabilities of most lithium batteries.
The DE-C55L-9000BK model comes in a black case, while the DE-C55L-9000LGY comes in a light gray case. The cost of these Elecom power banks in Japan is 9,980 yen ($68), which is significantly more expensive than similar devices with lithium-ion batteries.
A buyer who has paid a lot of money for Elecom sodium-ion batteries can expect them to operate safely at home and be able to use them in temperatures as low as -35°C.