Experts: sodium-ion batteries to enter large-scale applications by 2026 as costs fall
At the 2025 “Sodium-Ion Battery Industry Chain and Standards Development Forum,” industry experts said sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are progressing from demonstration projects toward large-scale commercialisation, with the next two to three years expected to determine their market foothold, according to Sina Finance.
Li Jinghong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Tsinghua University, emphasised that sodium-ion batteries should focus on differentiated competition rather than direct substitution of lithium-ion batteries. He noted their distinct advantages, including high power output, strong low-temperature performance, high safety, and relatively low cost. These features make them suitable for applications such as hybrid vehicles, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), frequency regulation in energy storage, and lead-acid battery replacement.
Several participants highlighted that the industry has shifted from the “price disruption” expectations that followed the 2021 lithium price spikes to a value-creation model. The current focus is on expanding scale, lowering costs, improving energy density, and aligning products with specific market needs. Experts agreed that 2026 is likely to mark the beginning of large-scale commercial applications, when business value becomes more evident.
Applications and technical development
Sodium-ion batteries are increasingly viewed as complementary to lithium-ion batteries rather than replacements. While their energy density remains lower, they offer higher ionic conductivity, faster charging and discharging, and improved performance at low temperatures. These traits position them for high-power and high-current demand sectors such as commercial vehicles, mining machinery, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and hybrid systems that combine batteries with fuel engines.
Li Jinghong recommended vanadium sodium phosphate, combined with hard carbon anodes, as a key material system for developing high-power sodium batteries due to its structural stability and high voltage platform.
CATL has also included sodium-ion batteries in its diversified technology roadmap. In April, the company launched the world’s first large-scale, mass-produced sodium battery, which covers passenger car power systems and heavy truck starter batteries. CATL later reported that its sodium batteries achieve an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, enabling over 500 km of pure electric range, which potentially addresses more than 40 per cent of domestic passenger vehicle demand.
Costs, standards, and policy support
CLS reports, Li Shujun, general manager of Beijing Zhongke Haina Technology Co., said that sodium-ion batteries have progressed from prototype validation to early commercialisation. He expects costs to decline significantly as energy density improves and production scales up, potentially halving within two to three years. Current products achieve an energy density of approximately 165 Wh/kg, 10,000 cycles at 2°C, and stable operation from –40°C to 45°C. Mass production costs are estimated at 0.4–0.5 yuan/Wh, with further reductions expected to 0.3 yuan/Wh, comparable to today’s lithium-iron phosphate batteries.
Standardisation efforts are also advancing. According to He Penglin, deputy director of the China Electronics Standardisation Institute, two national sodium-ion battery standards have been issued, with 11 more under development, alongside four international standards led by China. Testing on products from 44 enterprises confirmed strong low-temperature performance and safety, reinforcing their potential as alternatives to lead-acid batteries.
Government agencies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Energy Administration, have designated sodium-ion batteries as a priority direction for new energy storage, with policies guiding high-quality development.
Outlook
Industry representatives agreed that sodium-ion batteries are at a turning point. With clear technical routes, growing policy support, and defined application scenarios, the technology shows strong momentum. Experts concluded that success will depend on capitalising on their high power, low-temperature tolerance, safety, and cost advantages while steadily improving energy density.
The period from now until 2026 is widely regarded as a crucial window for sodium-ion batteries to establish a presence in niche markets and initiate scaled commercialisation.
