China’s sodium-ion batteries: what runs now, what’s next & where it makes sense

Sodium instead of lithium? China is rolling Na-ion into real deployments — from grid-scale storage to scooters and budget city cars. Here’s a crisp explainer: how it works, where it’s live, key parameters, limits and plans of the largest players.

Why sodium?

  • Abundance & cost: sodium is cheaper and more abundant than lithium; supply chains can lean more on local feedstocks.
  • Safety: Na-ion chemistries are inherently less prone to thermal runaway than some Li-ion chemistries.
  • Lower energy density, but… in BESS and light mobility the cost per cycle, durability and chargeability dominate — Na-ion can win here.

What is already running in China

  • World’s largest Na-ion BESS: Datang Group commissioned 50 MW / 100 MWh in Qianjiang (Hubei) using HiNa cells — a live grid asset. Batteries International
  • First grid-forming Na-ion plant: June 2025, Baochi (Yunnan) — can stabilise the grid like a conventional power plant. Energy Storage
  • Micromobility & swap: e-scooter makers (e.g., Yadea) deploy Na-ion models and swap networks; ~15% Na-ion share in Chinese scooters by 2030 is forecast. TechRadar

Key players & new-gen parameters

CATL — Naxtra

  • Ramp: announced Apr-2025; mass production slated for late 2025 with scale-up in 2026. Reuters
  • Specs: energy density around 175 Wh/kg (lower/mid LFP territory). Reuters
  • Safety: certified to GB 38031-2025 for traction batteries. Electronic Design
  • Autos: slideware cites up to ~500 km ranges in some classes (often Na-ion + Li-ion hybrids). Wider EV adoption expected post-2026. The Verge

HiNa Battery

Supplier to the 100 MWh project; developing 180 Ah cells for stationary systems. Batteries International

BYD

In-house Na-ion aimed at BESS and low-cost city platforms; first broad deployments expected in stationary. (The Seagull ultimately shipped with LFP.) S&P Global

Where Na-ion makes the most sense today

  • BESS: cost/cycle & safety outweigh volumetric density; Datang/Baochi show commercial grid service including regulation. Batteries International
  • Micromobility & sharing fleets: scooters, cargo-bikes, small quadricycles — fast charging, lower pack costs. TechRadar
  • Budget city cars & hybrid packs: Na-ion first in hybrids with LFP or in price-first segments. Reuters

Parameters to know (2024–2025)

  • Energy density: ~140–175 Wh/kg for leading packs/cells. Reuters
  • Cold-charge performance: good chargeability at low temps (incl. from Naxtra testing/cert). Electronic Design
  • Life: “several thousand” cycles in stationary use; supported by grid-scale ops. Batteries International

What still limits broad adoption

  • Density lower than NMC/NCA — mid/high-range passenger cars favour high-density Li-ion.
  • Standards & supply chain: the Na-ion ecosystem is younger; 2025 brought key certifications and first larger series. Electronic Design
  • Info noise: stick to primary disclosures — media “breakthroughs” are often overstated. CarNewsChina

Outlook (2025–2027)

  • CATL (Naxtra): mass production late-2025, scaling in 2026; aim: partly replace LFP in shorter-range EVs and lead in BESS. Reuters
  • BESS portfolio: more grid-forming projects and hybrids (Na-ion + flow/VRFB) as systems need controllability, not just energy. Energy Storage
  • Micromobility / last-mile: largest near-term Na-ion share in scooters and light urban logistics where TCO matters more than 600+ km range.

Sources & further reading

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