What are sodium-ion batteries and why could they change the world?

The answer

Sodium-ion batteries, made from abundant materials like salt, emerged in 2025 as a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries. While they store slightly less energy per kilogram than lithium, they work well in cold temperatures (unlike lithium), don't risk thermal runaway fires, and use materials found virtually everywhere on Earth. China led the charge, with CATL and BYD deploying sodium-ion cells in affordable electric vehicles and grid storage. The technology is poised to democratize energy storage globally - particularly in developing nations where lithium batteries remain prohibitively expensive - and could power grids, electric rickshaws, and affordable EVs worldwide.