An electric sleigh for Santa?

If Santa ever swapped reindeers for an electric sleigh, the first challenge would be one Imperial scientists know very well - could a battery deliver reliable power in extreme winter conditions?

Researchers in Professor Magda Titirici’s group in the Department of Chemical Engineering have taken a festive look at how sustainable batteries could keep Santa flying through the night.

Standard electric vehicles are powered by lithium-ion batteries, but in the North Pole, where temperatures regularly fall below -10C, Santa might find an electric sleigh run out of power quickly. These batteries perform badly in the cold because the ions that power them move more slowly as the temperature drops.

But, before you start worrying about Santa making it in time to drop presents down the chimney, the team have found one promising contender in sodium-ion technology.  This alternative uses abundant and cheap sodium (an ingredient of common salt) instead of lithium, which is a rare commodity, and supplies are controlled by just a few countries.

The sodium-ion batteries being developed in Professor Titirici’s lab can perform better at temperatures as low as -10C using carbon materials made from natural waste. Together, these emerging technologies offer alternatives that are not only more environmentally responsible but potentially more resilient in winter weather, making them surprisingly strong candidates for an electric sleigh.

We look at how to make batteries that are sustainable, affordable and able to perform in real-world conditions. Magda Titirici Professor of Sustainable Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Engineering

“Santa is not the only one who needs to get around in sub-zero temperatures, which are a genuine challenge for today’s electric vehicle technologies, as well as smartphones and anything else powered by a lithium-ion battery,” says Professor Titirici. “We look at how to make batteries that are sustainable, affordable and able to perform in real-world conditions". 

This research is led by Zhenyu Guo, Department of Chemical Engineering, who is working on the Faraday Institution funded Nexgenna project, with a focus on advancing Na ion battery developments in the UK.

Zhenyu's research develops Na-ion battery cells with own designed anodes and sustainable cathodes (free of critical metals), as well as testing these at different temperatures in pouch cell configurations with different electrolytes and additives to optimise performance across a wide range of temperatures (currently 10-60degrees). Future research aims to improve stability and capacity in low-temperature environments (potentially to -60degrees).

To further advance battery research, Zhenyu is working with DIGIBAT, which enables the rapid optimisation of complex battery formulations through an autonomous battery discovery laboratory. The facility combines robotic systems that can manufacture and test batteries with AI-driven optimisation algorithms, enabling faster experimentation and supporting the discovery of next-generation battery materials.
 
As the world transitions towards cleaner energy systems, the team’s research highlights how innovative materials, circular-economy principles and non-critical elements could reshape the future of battery storage.

Whether powering homes, vehicles or imaginary sleighs, sustainable batteries could help deliver a greener festive season for everyone.

Image: Hush Naidoo Jade Photography/UnSplash