Sodium-ion Market Updates From China

China is at the forefront of sodium-ion battery (Na-ion) development, with strong government support, industry investment, and technological innovation driving its growth. Home to the majority of Na-ion companies, China leads in patents (84% of global filings) and is accelerating commercialization through capital alliances and large-scale production plans. The 14th Five-Year Plan prioritizes Na-ion research, with a 100 MWh-class energy storage system targeted by 2025. Key players like CATL, BYD, and HiNa are scaling production, but actual output remains low—0.9 GWh in 2023 to 2.4 GWh in 2024, well below the 50-100 GWh targets for 2025. Scaling challenges include cell quality, energy density, and cycle life improvements, while falling LFP battery costs and supply chain uncertainties add further hurdles. Despite these obstacles, China's Na-ion industry is rapidly evolving, positioning the technology as a viable low-cost, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion.