Chinese battery giant CATL expects sodium-ion batteries to reach cost parity with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries by the end of 2026, according to a company spokesperson interviewed by Renewables Now.
Sodium-ion technology is attracting attention because sodium is abundant and widely distributed, potentially reducing dependence on lithium and other critical battery materials.
But the phrase “cost parity with lithium” needs clarification. CATL’s target is specifically parity with LFP battery technology, not necessarily every lithium-ion chemistry or every battery application.
Sodium-ion cells can also offer advantages in areas such as low-temperature performance and supply-chain diversification, although they generally have lower energy density than the highest-performing lithium-ion batteries.
That makes the technology particularly interesting for applications where weight and volume are less important, including stationary energy storage and some lower-cost electric vehicles.
If CATL’s cost target is achieved, sodium-ion batteries could become a much more competitive alternative within the global battery market.
The future battery industry may not be dominated by a single chemistry. Instead, different technologies could serve different jobs.
Source: Unbox Energy, September 27, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/unboxingenergy
