Elecom has unveiled what it claims is the world's first sodium-ion power bank designed for consumers to recharge their smartphones and other electronics.
Elecom states its 9,000 mAh battery offers several key advantages:
- Environmental. Sodium is more abundant and easier to produce compared to lithium, which involves heavy mining that pollutes both water and land. Additionally, sodium is safer than highly toxic lithium when returned to the environment.
- Temperature. Sodium-ion batteries perform well in extremely cold temperatures down to -35° C (-31° F), whereas lithium-ion batteries do not. They are also more resilient against thermal runaway fires, which firefighters warn lithium battery users about.
- Service life. Sodium-ion batteries have a service life of 5,000 charge cycles, surpassing the 500 cycles of standard lithium-ion batteries.
The power bank can output up to 45 watts through its USB-C PD port and 18 watts through its USB-A port. Recharging takes approximately two hours. The device weighs 350 g (12.3 oz.) and measures 87 x 31 x 106 mm (3.4 x 1.2 x 4.2 in.). The higher-than-normal weight is due to sodium-based batteries' lower energy density as compared to lithium.
Elecom's sodium-ion power bank is available for preorder in black (DE-C55L-9000BK) or light gray (DE-C55L-9000LGY) for 9,980 yen (~$68) through the company's online shop, with a limit of three units per customer. No announcements have been made regarding its availability from the Elecom shop on Amazon US.
Source(s)
Machine translated by Microsoft Edge web browser:
EL40-263
2025.03.13
The world's first * mobile battery!
New release of a safe and environmentally friendly
"sodium ion mobile battery" that can be used in extreme cold and extreme heat with long life and high durability
Elecom Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka, President & CEO: Koichi Iwami) is pleased to announce the release of the world's first* mobile battery, the Sodium-ion Mobile Battery, in mid-March, which uses sodium-ion batteries, which are attracting attention around the world as next-generation batteries.
* There will be a sound, so please pay attention to the volume.
Elecom has been selling mobile batteries since 2010, when smartphones began to become widespread, and has been No. 1 in domestic sales*2 for 11 consecutive years until 2025. In order to improve issues such as environmental impact on the earth and safety, which have become apparent in the course of selling a large number of mobile batteries, we have developed the world's first* mobile battery using a new "sodium-ion battery".
This product is a 9,000mAh mobile battery that supports USB Power Delivery and PPS standards *3. The USB Type-C™ port is capable of output up to 45W. Since the voltage and current change depending on the device, it can be charged for a wide range of smartphones such as iPhones, tablets such as iPads, and even laptops.
* Market research "World's first" verification survey on mobile battery (product) using sodium-ion battery / capacity 9,000mAh / USB Type-C compatible (45W output, 30W input) (According to a survey by the Future Trend Research Institute, Inc.) *As of November 27, 2024
*2: BCN Ranking: Sales volume in the mobile battery and charger category from January 2014 ~ December 2024
*3: USB Power Delivery is a USB standard that realizes high-speed charging by exchanging information between the adapter and the connected device to select the optimal power between the device. PPS (Programmable Power Supply) is an optional standard for USB Power Delivery that can efficiently supply the optimum power by adjusting the voltage in increments of 0.02V.
4 features of sodium-ion mobile battery
(1) Adoption of sodium-ion batteries that are friendly to the environment and people
Rare metals such as cobalt and lithium, which are used in conventional mobile batteries, have become social problems due to human rights issues related to mining safety and environmental pollution. By using a sodium-ion battery instead of cobalt or lithium, this product can be supplied stably, contributing to the sustainable use of resources and reducing environmental pollution and impact on the human body.
(2) Whether you're in the desert or in the snowy mountains, you can charge with this one
This product can be used in a wide range of temperature environments from -35°C~50°C*. Since it can be used in negative environments, it is possible to charge the device even in harsh environments such as snowy mountains such as ski resorts.
* Operating temperature range at the time of discharge. Depending on the conditions of the connected device or this product, the output may decrease and the output may stop.
(3) High level of safety
Typical lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if the battery is damaged. On the other hand, sodium-ion batteries are safer to use because they are highly safe batteries that are less likely to cause thermal runaway and are less likely to ignite even if there is heat generated in the battery.
In addition, this product complies with the technical standards of Japan's Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (PSE). Equipped with Thermal Protection, it monitors and controls the rise in product temperature 24 hours a day. In addition, it is a safe circuit design with five protection functions: overcharge, over-discharge, over-current prevention, short-circuit protection, and temperature detection.
(4) Long service life that can be used about 5,000 times
The cycle life of a mobile battery using a typical lithium-ion battery is about 500 cycles, but the sodium-ion battery built into this product has a lifespan of about 5,000 cycles, which is about 10 times longer, so it can be used for a long time. On a single charge, this product (battery capacity of 9,000 mAh) can charge a 1,800 mAh smartphone approximately 2.9 times and a 3,000 mAh smartphone approximately 1.7 times*4.
*4: This is the approximate number of times to charge a smartphone that is turned off with this fully charged product. If the power is turned on or the device is in use while charging, it may not be possible to charge to the stated value.
Limited quantities and pre-sale discounts!
From 12 o'clock on Thursday, March 13, pre-orders will be available at the Elecom Direct Shop in limited quantities.
Normal 9,980 yen (estimated selling price, tax included)
At the time of pre-order sale 8,980 yen (tax included)
Campaign Period Thursday, March 13, 2025 12 o'clock ~
Coupon Codes NA01MOBA
Coupon page shop.elecom.co.jp/ext/coupon_dec55l9000.html
A special product page is now available.
BUSINESS SOLUTION WEB PC DISPLAY BANNER
Click here for the special product page
Product Details
Product Picture Model No. price
Sodium-ion battery
Black
DE-C55L-9000BK
Click here for the product page
¥9,980 (over-the-counter price)
Sodium-ion battery,
light grey
DE-C55L-9000LGY
Click here for the product page
¥9,980 (over-the-counter price)
Product Specifications
Compatible models Smartphones, tablets, and other small electronic devices that charge with iPhone and USB ports
Connector shape (power input side) USB Type-C™ port×1
Rated input voltage 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V
Rated input current 3A/3A/2.5A/2A/1.5A
Connector shape (power output side) 1 USB Type-C ×port, 1 USB-A port ×
Rated output voltage USB Type-C port: 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V, USB-A port: 12V
Rated output current 20W total, USB Type-C port: 3A/3A/3A/3A/2.25A, USB-A port: 1.5A
Battery type Rechargeable sodium-ion battery
Battery Rated Capacity 3.0V/3,000mAh×3
Charging time Approx. 2 hours
* This is a guide when only the product itself is charged. If a mobile device such as a smartphone is connected, it cannot be charged in the stated time.
External dimensions Width approx. 87 mm× depth approx. 31 mm× height approx. 106 mm
weight Approx. 350g
Number of repetitions 5,000 times
accessory USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable (0.1m)
Operating temperature range Discharge: -35°C~50°C, Charging: 0°C~40°C
Warranty period 1 year
※USB Type-C and USB-C are trademarks of USB Implementers Forum.