A lithium-ion battery made partly of potash and rock salt has been developed through cooperation between the Industry Ministry and Khon Kaen University in a move designed to pave the way for electric vehicle (EV) battery production.
"Our battery is at an initial stage of development to serve as a model for further improvement and production," said Aditad Vasinonta, deputy chief of the Department of Primary Industries.
He said the lithium-ion development is aimed at helping the government build Thailand's EV industry and support potash and rock salt mining.
Potash and rock salt can become value-added materials if they are used to produce batteries for EVs, which are being promoted by the government.
Thailand has a significant amount of potash and rock salt, mostly in the northeast. The country has potash reserves of over 407 billion tonnes.
In the past, the government's policy was to develop potash mining and use potash to make fertiliser in order to reduce fertiliser imports.
Following the lithium-ion battery project, the government also plans to develop sodium-ion to make batteries for EVs, said Mr Aditad.
Officials will conduct a feasibility study on sodium-ion development to see how it can serve commercial purposes.
Experts will examine both the physical and chemical properties of sodium-ion.
"We expect we can push ahead with this [sodium-ion] project for industrial operations in the near future," said Mr Aditad.
A battery is a crucial part of electric vehicles as it powers them. The battery accounts for 40% of the cost of an EV.
The government initially aimed to have EVs make up 30% of total car manufacturing, or around 750,000 of 2.5 million units, by 2030.
However, on March 24 it decided to increase the target to 50%, following the rapid growth of EVs in many countries, especially in Europe.