In a major leap toward India’s energy independence, scientists in Bengaluru have developed a revolutionary sodium-ion battery that charges up to 80% in just six minutes—a potential game-changer in the race to power electric vehicles, solar grids, and rural homes.
Developed by a research team at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), this breakthrough battery offers a low-cost, fire-safe, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are expensive and depend on scarce, imported materials.
The Science Behind the Speed
Led by Prof. Premkumar Senguttuvan and Ph.D. scholar Biplab Patra, the team created a unique NASICON-based battery using a specially engineered anode material:
Na₁.₀V₀.₂₅Al₀.₂₅Nb₁.₅(PO₄)₃.
The innovation lies in three key upgrades:
Shrinking the battery particles to nano-size
Coating them in a thin layer of carbon
Enhancing conductivity by infusing aluminium
These changes allow sodium ions to flow rapidly, increasing speed and lifespan—achieving over 3000 charge cycles without degradation.
Why Sodium, Not Lithium?
Sodium is cheap, safe, and abundantly available in India, unlike lithium which is imported and geopolitically risky. This shift aligns perfectly with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission and reduces our dependence on foreign battery technologies.
“This discovery could power everything—from electric cars and smart devices to rural villages—making green energy truly affordable and accessible,” said Prof. Senguttuvan.
A Greener, Safer Tomorrow
Apart from speed and cost, the sodium-ion battery eliminates risks like fire hazards and short circuits, making it a safer bet for large-scale use. The battery has been validated through advanced simulations and electrochemical testing.
Though still under development, this innovation has caught the attention of global researchers and clean-tech companies alike.
If scaled successfully, India could soon lead the world in sustainable, lithium-free battery technology—fueling the future with innovation made at home.
