Market data Li carbonate (GFEX)104,740 CNY/t▼ 11.8% d/d12 Oct Grid-scale BESS installed, Sep20.4 GWh▲ 61% y/y15 Oct Germany storage added, Jan–Sep8.2 GWh▲ 91% y/y30 Sep Lithium144,779 $/t▼ 2.6% m/mSep 2026 avg Nickel16,324 $/t▼ 2.5% m/mSep 2026 avg Cobalt42,213 $/t▼ 24.4% m/mSep 2026 avg Manganese2,782 $/t▼ 3.9% m/mSep 2026 avg Latest published figures · click for source

Sodium-ion (Na-ion)

Replaces lithium with abundant sodium. Lower energy density than lithium-ion, but strong cold-weather performance and no lithium price exposure.

Sodium-ion cells now reach up to 175 Wh/kg, retain about 90% of nominal capacity at -40 °C and can operate up to 70 °C. For an average SUV the IEA puts the range at up to 350 km, against 400–600 km for lithium-ion.1

The first sodium-ion car appeared in China in late 2023 and CATL and BYD are now scaling the technology. Still, sodium-ion cell capacity is just over 1% of lithium-ion's, and hard-carbon anode supply is largely concentrated in China.1 CATL's Naxtra cell (175 Wh/kg) is set to reach the market in a Changan passenger car in mid-2026.2

Key figures

Cell energy density
up to 175 Wh/kg1
Capacity at -40 °C
about 90% retained1
Cold-weather power (CATL Naxtra, -30 °C)
nearly 3× an equivalent LFP battery2
Manufacturing capacity vs lithium-ion
just over 1% today; announced 2030 projects ≈ 7%1

Strengths

  • No lithium – independent of lithium prices
  • Excellent low-temperature performance1
  • Aluminium foil replaces copper as current collector2

Limitations

  • Lower energy density and range than lithium-ion1
  • Small manufacturing base and China-centred hard-carbon supply1

In Central & Eastern Europe

We have not yet found sodium-ion cell production in Central & Eastern Europe. Tell us if you know of one: contact@cellsdesk.com.

Sources

  1. Global EV Outlook 2026 – Electric vehicle batteries – IEA, 2026
  2. 175 Wh/kg: how CATL's Naxtra architecture moves sodium-ion beyond the lab – R&D World, 6 Mar 2026