Sodium-ion batteries are gaining ground as an energy option in China. The technology is moving from research into early commercial use. Moreover, battery makers are applying it in Electric Vehicles, heavy trucks, and large-scale energy storage. Industry leaders see sodium-ion batteries as a practical complement to Lithium-ion batteries. As a result, the sector is attracting strong attention across transport and power markets.
Chinese companies are accelerating deployment. At the same time, they are scaling production and launching new battery products. This momentum matters because sodium is abundant and easier to source. In addition, sodium-ion chemistry performs well in cold weather and supports fast charging. These features make it useful for demanding real-world applications.
Sodium-Ion Batteries in China Move Toward Commercial Use
China’s battery industry is pushing sodium-ion batteries toward mass adoption. Lithium-ion batteries still dominate the country’s electric vehicle market. However, battery makers want more chemistry options as demand rises. According to industry data based on customs statistics, China imported about 7.75 million metric tons of lithium concentrate in 2025. That total increased 39.4 percent year on year.
By comparison, sodium offers a broad resource base. Therefore, manufacturers see it as a strong option for future battery supply chains. Reuters reported that several overseas startups, mostly in the United States, are still preparing pilot-scale production. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers have already entered mass production for transport and grid-scale storage.
CATL Expands Sodium-Ion Batteries for Vehicles and Battery Swapping
CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, introduced its Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery brand in April 2025. The company said its passenger EV battery reaches an energy density of up to 175 watt-hours per kilogram. That figure shows clear progress for a chemistry once viewed as limited to niche uses.
In February, CATL and Changan Automobile unveiled a passenger vehicle powered by Naxtra batteries. They said the model would become the world’s first mass-produced sodium-ion passenger car. The companies planned to launch it by summer. They also said the vehicle would deliver a pure-electric range of more than 400 kilometers.
CATL is also integrating sodium-ion batteries into its battery-swapping network. In its 2025 annual report, the company said it had built more than 1,000 battery-swap stations across 45 cities in China. This network can support faster adoption because it adds convenience for fleet and passenger vehicle users.
Sodium-Ion Batteries Support BYD and HiNa Expansion
Other Chinese battery makers are expanding quickly as well. BYD has increased investment in sodium battery production. Its annual sodium battery capacity could soon reach 50 gigawatt-hours. That scale signals growing confidence in market demand.
HiNa Battery is also advancing the technology. The company is affiliated with the Institute of Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It produces sodium-ion batteries for electric cars, scooters, and heavy trucks. In addition, HiNa supplied the technology for China’s first large-scale sodium-ion energy storage station in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
The project began with a capacity of 10 megawatt-hours. Later, operators expanded it to 50 MWh. This step highlights how sodium-ion batteries are moving beyond test projects. It also shows that the technology can support larger power storage needs.
Sodium-Ion Batteries Perform Well in Cold Weather and Fast Charging
Sodium-ion batteries stand out in several practical areas. First, they offer strong low-temperature performance. Second, they support rapid charging. These benefits make them especially attractive for commercial vehicles and cold-region operations.
Tang Kun, co-founder of HiNa, said the company’s sodium-ion truck battery can fully charge in around 20 minutes. He also said sodium-ion batteries can work well at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. These features can help logistics fleets that need quick turnaround times and stable winter performance.
In October 2025, HiNa unveiled a sodium-powered tractor unit approved for sale in China. CATL also launched a 24-volt sodium-ion integrated start-stop battery for heavy-duty trucks. Together, these launches show rising interest in sodium-ion applications for commercial vehicles.
Sodium-Ion Batteries Open New Opportunities in Energy Storage
Utility-scale energy storage is another promising market. Large storage sites usually face fewer space limits than passenger vehicles. Therefore, operators can adopt bigger battery systems more easily, especially in remote areas. This makes sodium-ion batteries a practical choice for many energy projects.
China has also introduced a three-year action plan for 2025 to 2027 to promote large-scale energy storage. The plan includes support for the commercialization of sodium-ion battery storage. This policy direction adds momentum to an already growing market.
Industry experts also see value in hybrid battery packs that combine sodium and lithium chemistries. Such systems can balance cold-weather performance, range, and stability across different uses. As a result, sodium-ion batteries are likely to grow alongside lithium-ion batteries in the years ahead.
Overall, sodium-ion batteries are becoming an important part of China’s energy technology landscape. Major companies such as CATL, BYD, and HiNa are expanding production, launching vehicles, and building storage projects. With fast charging, solid cold-weather performance, and broader resource availability, sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a practical energy option for transport and power storage.
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