Skip to content
ContentLora

    Tip: press / anywhere to search.

    technology

    Sodium-ion batteries

    Also known as Na-ion batteries, SIB

    Sodium-ion batteries work like lithium-ion cells but shuttle sodium ions, using abundant raw materials and performing well in the cold.[1][2] In February 2026 CATL and Changan unveiled the first mass-production sodium-ion passenger car, but sodium-ion manufacturing capacity is still only about 1% of lithium-ion's.[3][4]

    Editor reviewedUpdated Batteries and energy storageEnergy and climateScience
    Key facts

    What it is

    Sodium-ion batteries use the same principle as lithium-ion cells: ions shuttle between two electrodes through an electrolyte.[5] Here the ion is sodium. CATL cites abundant raw materials, strong cold-weather performance and environmentally friendly production and recycling as its advantages.[1] Its storage cell needs neither cobalt nor nickel and uses aluminium foil in place of copper foil.[6]

    Performance

    CATL’s Naxtra cells reach up to 175 Wh/kg, which CATL describes as the current benchmark for mass production. That gives a pure-electric range above 400 km.[7] For comparison, lithium-ion cells reach as high as about 330 Wh/kg.[8] Cold weather is sodium-ion’s strong point. CATL says Naxtra delivers nearly three times the discharge power of comparable LFP batteries at -30 C and keeps over 90% of its capacity at -40 C.[2]

    From lab to road

    The first sodium-ion electric car appeared in China in late 2023.[9] On 5 February 2026 CATL and Changan unveiled what they called the world’s first mass-production sodium-ion passenger vehicle, with market launch planned by mid-2026.[3] In April 2026 CATL presented a sodium-ion cell for stationary storage, with about 160 Wh/kg, more than 15,000 cycles to 80% capacity and an operating range of -40 C to 70 C. CATL expected it to enter commercial deployment within 2026.[10] In the US, ESS Tech, originally an iron flow battery company, now expects most near-term revenue from a sodium-ion product.[11]

    How big it is

    Sodium-ion is still small. The IEA puts sodium-ion cell manufacturing capacity at just over 1% of lithium-ion capacity. Announced projects for 2030 amount to about 7% of committed lithium-ion capacity.[4] Its economics also depend on lithium prices. Lithium prices in early 2026 were more than double their level a year earlier, which strengthens the case for alternatives.[12][13]

    Questions readers ask

    Why use sodium instead of lithium?

    CATL cites abundant raw materials, better cold-weather performance and environmentally friendly production and recycling.[1]

    Can a sodium-ion car go far?

    CATL says its Naxtra cells reach up to 175 Wh/kg and give a pure-electric range above 400 km.[7]

    Is sodium-ion replacing lithium-ion?

    Not yet. Sodium-ion cell capacity is just over 1% of lithium-ion capacity, and announced projects for 2030 are about 7% of committed lithium-ion capacity.[4]

    Is sodium-ion used for grid storage?

    CATL presented a storage cell in 2026 with about 160 Wh/kg and more than 15,000 cycles, expected in commercial deployment within the year.[10]

    Sources

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Status shows how well established it is.

    1. [1]

      CATL cites abundant raw materials and cold-weather performance as sodium-ion advantages. confirmedas of 2026-02-05

    2. [2]

      CATL says Naxtra delivers nearly triple the discharge power of equivalent LFP batteries at -30 C and keeps over 90% capacity at -40 C. confirmedas of 2026-02-05

    3. [3]

      On 5 February 2026 CATL and Changan unveiled what they called the world's first mass-production sodium-ion passenger vehicle, due on the market by mid-2026. confirmedas of 2026-02-05

    4. [4]

      Sodium-ion cell manufacturing capacity equals just over 1% of lithium-ion cell capacity, and announced sodium-ion projects for 2030 amount to about 7% of committed lithium-ion capacity. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    5. [5]

      During charging, lithium ions move out of the cathode lattice to the anode to form lithiated graphite; during discharging they move back, a reversible shuttle often called the rocking-chair mechanism. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    6. [6]

      CATL's sodium-ion storage cell is cobalt-free and nickel-free and uses aluminium foil instead of copper foil. reportedas of 2026-04-20

    7. [7]

      CATL's Naxtra sodium-ion battery reaches up to 175 Wh/kg, which CATL calls the benchmark for mass production, and gives a pure-electric range above 400 km. confirmedas of 2026-02-05

    8. [8]

      Lithium-ion batteries have some of the highest energy densities of any commercial battery technology, as high as 330 watt-hours per kilogram. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    9. [9]

      The first sodium-ion battery electric car was introduced in China in late 2023, and the technology is now being scaled up. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    10. [10]

      In April 2026 CATL presented a sodium-ion cell for stationary storage with about 160 Wh/kg and more than 15,000 cycles to 80% capacity, expected in commercial deployment within 2026. reportedas of 2026-04-20

    11. [11]

      ESS Tech, which began in 2011 as an iron flow battery maker, expects near-term revenue mainly from its Bridge sodium-ion and Energy Base storage products. confirmedas of 2026-06-30

    12. [12]

      Lithium prices at the start of 2026 were more than twice their level a year earlier, and cobalt prices also doubled over the year. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    13. [13]

      The IEA says lithium prices more than doubled amid strong demand from energy storage and constrained supply. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    14. [14]

      The IEA reports that Toyota plans its first all-solid-state battery vehicle by 2028, and BYD plans to sell its first all-solid-state EV from 2027 with mass production from 2030. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 10, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 10, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 10, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "Sodium-ion batteries." ContentLora, updated Oct 10, 2026. https://contentlora.com/wiki/sodium-ion-batteries

    Spotted an error? Suggest a correction or emailcorrections@contentlora.com.

    Keep exploring

    Connections
    CATL Leading producerSolid-state batteri… Competes withBattery critical mi… Avoids minerals covered in
    ☰ Contents