Sodium-ion batteries have started to appear in cars and home storage

Have a look at The Limiting Factor episode "The Hype and Reality of Sodium Ion Batteries" https://youtu.be/KjiqqafD_0w?si=txe6eODkSiasSylg

It's really well done and digs into all the details on sodium-ion. Lots to like with sodium-ion (charge rate for one) but cost isn't going to be competitive for at least 5 and more likely 10 years.

Haven't watched the episode but the comment about price seems incorrect - CATL announced its pricing at $40 per kwh and said $19 is their target in future, which compares with $65 per kwh today for their li-ion

They also announced that CATL is starting mass production this December. The long term cost target might be closer to 10$/kwh. That's an unconfirmed rumor that has been circulating that is plausible based on material cost and other factors.

The bottom line is, mass production is starting soon at cost levels that are probably undercutting LFP from day 1. CATL is explicitly targeting use for low end EVs. IMHO this chemistry is also a good match for things like trucks given the long battery lifetime and good enough energy density. Perfect for frequent rapid charging and intensive use in long range trucks.

I bought 18650 sodium-ion batteries last year. Price is about the same as lithium-ion in small quantities, capacity is about half.

But this is currently small batches backyard production, so I expect the prices to go down. Also, the materials are available practically everywhere, so even 3rd world countries should be able to make them.

Watch the video. It’s another 15-20 years until it reaches LFP cost.

$10 figure is completely made up and hyped up by hype influencers .

The video is demonstrably wrong if CATL is releasing what I just outlined in 2 months as they announced. You shouldn't believe anything you see on Youtube. There's a lot of anti EV nonsense floating around.

> $10 figure is completely made up and hyped up by hype influencers

I'm pretty sure there's more to that and do note the caveats I added. CATL is one of the largest battery producers in the world and they are basically calling BS on this in a big way that's hard to argue with (i.e. planning to ship product at scale in 2 months).

Also, second generation product. They already have sodium ion based battery powered EVs in the market with their first generation. Apparently quite cheap and competitive with LFP. This is their v2.

You shouldn't believe everything on Youtube.

lol @ calling limiting factor channel anti-ev. Watch his other videos. You have no clue what you are talking about.

LFP Bess systems are already at ~52/kWh on the lowest end.

https://www.ess-news.com/2025/06/26/china-energy-engineering...

The crashing prices of LFP batteries has been Sodium-ions nemesis the past few years since their entire gambit is using cheaper raw materials while performing good enough for certain applications.

$10/kWh for sodium ion batteries using cheaper raw materials are definitely in reach as given by recent LFP prices.

Here's that YouTube link without the tracking: https://youtu.be/KjiqqafD_0w

But he sounds like he did, and you markedly do not.

I looked up the source of $10 and as far as I can tell CATL said the raw material costs were $10 and then 'influencers' who were basically Matt Ferrell got it mixed up and said that was the price.

I presume the actual price will be set by what the market will pay, probably starting more like $50 and falling over time.

Firstly you probs need to compare averages, not the lowest, shittiest quality E-rated cells.

Then - why would they sell them at discount? They offer superior charge performance (dramatically higher rates and cold weather performance) when compared to LFP. LFP is a PITA in cold climate. I never get negative temperatures yet still get cold gated even in shoulder seasons!

That video seems over pessimistic to me. It has "sodium ion battery cells don't have a good chance of reaching parity with LFP cells until about 2039" but BYD who are making the things are talking about next year.

I could see quite a rapid takeoff if they prove successful next year after being mass produced because they look like maybe the best solution for grid storage.

Do you have a source for the $40/kWh? I can't find anything but unsubstantiated speculation surrounding the price.

Try comparing averages first. Then look into actual elements used - still requires graphite (cheaper, synthetic one). Finally they have superior charging specs, esp in cold climate - there's no way they'll be sold cheaper than LFP.

Burden of proof on him.