Sodium battery costs could match lithium by 2027, according to Hina Battery general manager Li Shujun. He said Sodium-ion Battery prices are falling fast, while lithium battery prices have edged higher. As a result, both battery types could reach a similar price range next year, with broader overlap by 2028.
This forecast highlights a major shift in the battery market. Moreover, it suggests that sodium-ion batteries are moving closer to mainstream commercial use. Hina Battery shared this outlook during the 2026 Global Sodium Battery Industry Ecology Conference. Li said the expected convergence will mark an important stage for market acceptance and industrial growth.
Sodium battery costs could match lithium by 2027
Li Shujun said current lithium battery prices usually range from 0.3 yuan to 0.5 yuan per watt-hour. In comparison, sodium battery prices now range from 0.5 yuan to 0.7 yuan per Wh. Even so, the gap is narrowing quickly. Therefore, Hina Battery expects the two price bands to meet in 2027 and overlap more clearly in 2028.
He described the convergence point as symbolic for the wider battery sector. In other words, once sodium-ion and Lithium-ion batteries share similar pricing, buyers may gain stronger confidence in sodium technology. That shift could support faster adoption in energy storage, mobility, and other battery applications.
Hina Battery sees rapid sodium battery scale-up
Hina Battery also expects strong industry expansion after 2028. Li said the performance battery market could drive sodium-ion batteries to industrial scale in the hundreds of gigawatt-hours. That level would mark a significant jump for commercial production and deployment.
At the same time, Hina Battery expects further improvements in battery performance. Li said sodium-ion battery cell costs could fall to 0.3 yuan per Wh after 2028. In addition, he said energy density for power-type sodium battery products could rise above 180 Wh/kg. These figures show how quickly sodium-ion technology is advancing in both cost and capability.
Sodium battery costs and energy density trends
The latest projections point to two clear trends. First, sodium battery prices are moving down at a steady pace. Second, energy density continues to improve. Together, these trends make sodium-ion batteries more attractive for large-scale use. Furthermore, they support broader planning across the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.
Price matters because it shapes commercial demand. However, performance also matters. By targeting more than 180 Wh/kg, sodium-ion batteries can serve a wider range of applications. As a result, battery makers and automakers are increasing their focus on this segment.
Sodium battery costs gain support from major industry players
Hina Battery is not alone in pushing sodium-ion technology forward. Several major Chinese battery makers and automakers have accelerated commercialization plans. This growing activity strengthens the industrial base for sodium-ion batteries and supports long-term market growth.
CATL launched its Naxtra sodium-ion battery in April 2025. Later, in February, CATL partnered with Changan Automobile to reveal the first mass-produced sodium battery passenger vehicle. The battery offers an energy density of 175 Wh/kg. It also supports a pure electric driving range of about 400 kilometers. The model is expected to reach the market in mid-2026.
BYD has also made progress in this area. The company said it developed a sodium battery with a lifespan of 10,000 cycles. That figure points to strong long-term durability. Meanwhile, BAIC Group introduced its Aurora sodium-ion battery. According to the company, that battery can deliver a driving range of up to 450 kilometers.
What sodium battery costs mean for the market
The expected price convergence between sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries could reshape buyer decisions. When prices align, customers can evaluate sodium batteries more directly on performance, safety, lifespan, and supply chain value. Consequently, the technology may gain a stronger role in future battery portfolios.
Hina Battery’s forecast also shows that sodium-ion batteries are entering a more mature phase. Falling costs, rising energy density, and growing industry support all point in the same direction. Therefore, the next two years could become a key period for wider sodium-ion adoption.
For now, the most important takeaway is clear. Sodium battery costs are moving closer to lithium battery costs faster than many expected. If Hina Battery’s timeline holds, 2027 could become a milestone year for sodium-ion pricing. Then, by 2028, stronger overlap in cost and improving performance could help drive the market to a much larger scale.
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