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Abundant in nature, sodium attracts CATL, BYD, and HiNa and emerges as an alternative to lithium for electric vehicles and energy storage
For decades, oil drove economies and strategic disputes. More recently, lithium has gained a similar role with the expansion of electric cars.
A new raw material, however, is beginning to enter this race. Sodium, present in table salt and seawater, can power rechargeable batteries.
The idea is no longer confined to laboratories. Companies like CATL, BYD, and HiNa Battery Technology are already expanding projects related to sodium-ion batteries.
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The goal is straightforward: reduce costs, diversify supply, and decrease the world’s dependence on lithium.
Why sodium has become an industry bet
The main advantage lies in availability.
Lithium depends on concentrated deposits and complex extraction processes. Sodium, on the other hand, is widely distributed in nature.
This abundance can reduce supply risks and raw material costs. At the same time, different countries could access the element more easily.
HiNa Battery Technology highlights precisely this potential. According to the Chinese manufacturer, sodium has resource advantages and can serve vehicles and large energy systems.
The performance in extreme temperatures also draws attention. Recent tests indicated operation between -40 °C and 60 °C.
Even in very cold environments, some cells maintained more than 90% capacity. This resilience favors heavy vehicles, power grids, and icy regions.
The equation that may change starting in 2027
Sodium is abundant, but the batteries still face one obstacle: the current cost.
Production remains lower than that of lithium batteries. Consequently, factories, suppliers, and industrial lines still need to gain scale.
This scenario may change quickly.
In April 2026, Li Shujun, general manager of HiNa, projected a cost convergence in 2027 or 2028.
The forecast indicates that price ranges could begin to overlap in 2027. By 2028, the overlap could become wider.
The advancement occurs as the price of lithium experiences fluctuations. In this way, abundant alternatives gain space in manufacturers’ plans.
The 175 Wh/kg battery presented by CATL
CATL presented its first sodium battery in July 2021. At that time, the cell reached an energy density of 160 Wh/kg.
The next leap appeared on April 21, 2025.
On that date, the manufacturer unveiled the Naxtra, a sodium battery for automobiles with a density of 175 Wh/kg.
The level approaches certain lithium iron phosphate batteries. According to CATL, the technology also supports low temperatures and thousands of cycles.
Industrialization gained another boost in April 2026. According to Reuters, CATL closed a 60 GWh deal with HyperStrong.
The supply will be carried out over three years and will focus on energy storage. The contract represents an important step to expand commercial scale.
Can electric cars become cheaper?
The reduction is not automatic, but there is potential.
Batteries represent a significant portion of the cost of an electric vehicle. Therefore, a more accessible chemistry can favor cheaper urban models.
The lower energy density still limits use in high-range automobiles. Therefore, sodium is likely to advance first in:
- urban electric cars;
- buses and trucks;
- electricity grids;
- renewable energy storage.
The technology is not expected to immediately eliminate lithium batteries. The most likely scenario involves both solutions meeting different needs.
The energy future may involve salt
Research also analyzes systems based on sodium and seawater. These solutions could combine electrical storage, desalination, and carbon capture.
The strategic potential explains the interest of companies. Sodium can complement lithium and expand access to energy storage.
If scale increases and costs truly decrease, the technology could open up space for affordable electric cars and more stable renewable networks.
The “new oil” is not yet defined. Even so, the next energy revolution may start with an element found daily on the table.
And you, do you believe that sodium batteries could make electric cars more affordable in the coming years?
