Why CATL and BYD Are STILL Betting on Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries are back in the spotlight — but not for the reasons most people think. Sodium-ion chemistry has been written off for high-performance applications in the past, but new research reveals how ion transport and electrode design are transforming sodium-ion into a product that can genuinely challenge lithium-ion's dominance. Maybe that's why CATL and BYD are now accelerating real-world deployment despite lingering scepticism.

Help support this channel's independence at
http://www.patreon.com/justhaveathink

Or with a donation via Paypal by clicking here
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GWR73EHXGJMAE&source=url

You can also help keep my brain ticking over during the long hours of research and editing via the nice folks at BuyMeACoffee.com
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/justhaveathink


Reference Links

Clean Technica's take on Sodium-ion
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/05/why-sodium-ion-batteries-are-happening-now/

Fujii et al - Revealing the kinetic limits of sodiation and lithiation at hard carbon using the diluted electrode method
https://www.livescience.com/technology/engineering/days-numbered-for-risky-lithium-ion-batteries-scientists-say-after-fast-charging-breakthrough-in-sodium-ion-alternative

BAM (Germany) research paper

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/anie.202519457

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1187989/new-core-shell-design-for-anodes-significantly-increases-performance-of-sodium-ion-batteries.html

CATL news

https://insideevs.com/news/786509/catl-changan-worlds-first-sodium-ion-battery-ev/

https://cnevpost.com/2026/02/03/changan-to-unveil-sodium-battery-strategy-with-catl-feb-5/

https://carnewschina.com/2026/01/30/catl-byd-fast-track-sodium-ion-battery-shift-as-lithium-prices-soar/

https://carnewschina.com/2026/01/30/catls-sodium-ion-batteries-officially-enter-passenger-vehicles-report-says/

BYD news
https://carnewschina.com/2024/01/05/byd-starts-construction-of-30-gwh-sodium-ion-battery-plant-in-china/

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/byd-starts-building-14-bln-sodium-ion-battery-plant-china-2024-01-05

https://www.electrive.com/2024/01/05/byd-starts-building-sodium-battery-plant-in-china

Lithium prices
https://carboncredits.com/lithium-prices-surge-amid-strong-demand-forecasts-could-reach-up-to-28000-ton-by-2026-nili/

Another recent breakthrough since making this video
https://www.bgr.com/2096333/sodium-ion-batteries-fast-charging-breakthrough/


Check out other YouTube Climate Communicators

Simon Clark:
youtube.com/user/SimonOxfPhys

ClimateTown:
youtube.com/channel/UCuVLG9pThvBABcYCm7pkNkA

Dr Gilbz
youtube.com/@DrGilbz

zentouro:
youtube.com/user/zentouro

Climate Adam:
youtube.com/user/ClimateAdam

Kurtis Baute:
youtube.com/user/ScopeofScience

Sarah Karvner:
youtube.com/channel/UCRwMkTu8sCwOOD6_7QYrZnw

Beckisphere: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT39HQq5eDKonaUV8ujiBCQ

Our Changing Climate :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNXvxXpDJXp-mZu3pFMzYHQ