US-based energy company UNIGRID has launched its Na⁺ Fleet platform and supporting NaCrO₂ (NCO) sodium-ion cell technology, aiming to replace lead-acid batteries used by the automotive industry for over 70 years.

Next-generation sodium-ion battery introduced

The company claims that this new technology, designed as a 12V starter battery system, will provide up to 10 times longer lifespan compared to lead-acid batteries across a wide range of applications, including electric vehicle (EV) systems.

This development allows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to directly integrate UNIGRID’s specific NCO sodium-ion cells into their own 12V Na⁺ battery packs. In a press release regarding component availability, UNIGRID states that OEMs can directly incorporate these cells into their own distribution-oriented 12V Na⁺ packs.

The company is targeting the global battery replacement market, worth approximately $50 billion annually, with hundreds of millions of units replaced each year. Traditional lead-acid batteries are known for their weight and maintenance requirements, and typically need to be replaced three to four times over a vehicle’s service life due to self-discharge and general wear and tear.

While lithium-based options address some of these limitations, they also present challenges such as reliance on active battery management, poor performance in cold temperatures, and the potential for fire hazards in the engine compartment.

According to data provided by UNIGRID, Na⁺ Fleet cells are rated for 5,000 or more usable cycles, a figure said to be 10 times the cycle life of similar lead-acid batteries.