The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has reached unprecedented levels, with over a quarter of new vehicle sales globally attributed to EVs in recent years. This surge is particularly evident in regions like China, where battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids accounted for more than half of all new vehicle sales. Europe is also witnessing a shift, with more purely electric vehicles sold in December than their gasoline counterparts. In contrast, the United States has seen a slight decline in EV sales, which has impacted the global average. As the prevalence of EVs increases, advancements in battery technology are essential to support this growing market.
One promising area is the development of sodium-ion batteries, which are emerging as a cost-effective alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. While lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, their costs have seen a downward trend that sodium-ion batteries are struggling to match. Sodium, being more abundant and less expensive, presents a viable option, even if current sodium-ion batteries have limitations in energy density. However, recent fluctuations in lithium prices might provide an opening for sodium-ion technology, as companies like CATL begin incorporating this chemistry into vehicles. Notably, there has been a significant focus on solid-state batteries, which promise to enhance energy density by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid ones. Companies such as Toyota and Quantumscape are working towards commercial production, aiming to enable longer-range EVs. Moreover, hybrid technologies, such as semi-solid-state batteries, are being explored as a transitional step towards fully solid-state solutions. The landscape for EV batteries is rapidly evolving, particularly in China, which continues to dominate the global battery market, raising questions about the future dynamics of this crucial industry.
Source: What’s next for EV batteries in 2026 via MIT Technology Review