BackTECH
Laps Of Icy Roads In China Show Sodium Batteries Making An EV Breakthrough
An icy-road demonstration in Yakeshi showcased mass-production passenger EVs powered by sodium-ion batteries, a departure from lithium-based cells. CATL officials touted a 50% increase in energy density and a milestone for sodium-ion tech, with Changan targeting mid-2026 sales and mass production planned for late 2026. The piece also frames broader forecasts and past setbacks in the sodium-ion sector.
Why It Matters
Sodium-ion batteries offer potential cost and supply-chain resilience, especially in extreme cold; if scalable, they could shift the EV battery market, though energy density and parity remain challenges.
Timeline
7 Events
IEA forecasts 2026 could be pivotal for sodium batteries
April 22, 2026
The International Energy Agency says 2026 could prove to be a pivotal year for sodium batteries in EVs and stationary storage, signaling increasing adoption of the technology.
Changan to begin sodium-ion EV sales by mid-2026
April 22, 2026
The article notes that by mid-2026, Changan Automobile is planned to begin sales of models fitted with sodium-ion technology from CATL.
CATL CTO Gao Huan announces milestones and mass-production timeline
April 21, 2026
At a Beijing event on Tuesday, CATL Chief Technology Officer Gao Huan said sodium-ion energy density has increased about 50% and described the technology as at a milestone stage, adding that mass production is planned to begin by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Sodium-ion EV demonstration in Yakeshi
February 2026
In February 2026, attendees including Calvin Quek watched Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. electric SUVs and a battery-powered coupe navigate icy roads at a test facility in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, powered by sodium-ion batteries.
BloombergNEF forecasts 2026 sodium-ion demand
January 2026
BloombergNEF said in a January 2026 report that sodium-ion demand is expected to increase 2.5 times in 2026, to about 11 gigawatt-hours.
Natron Energy ceases sodium battery operations
September 2025
In September 2025, Natron Energy Inc., which had planned a US$1.4 billion sodium battery production facility, ceased operations.
Bedrock Materials halts sodium-ion development
April 2025
In April 2025, Bedrock Materials, a Chicago-based sodium battery startup, returned capital to investors and halted development.