China Battery Expert Urges Pivot to Sodium Batteries
Chinese battery expert Chen Liquan has urged the automotive industry to accelerate sodium-ion battery development to bypass global lithium supply risks.
A close-up view of advanced sodium-ion battery cells inside a high-tech cleanroom facility.
Reducing Mineral Supply Risks
Chen received the National Highest Science and Technology Award for his contributions to the sector. During his speech, he called on the automotive Industry to build domestic alternatives. He stated that true industrial security requires independent material innovation.
The domestic new energy vehicle sector remains heavily dependent on external supply chains. By accelerating alternative battery programs, automakers can protect factory output from volatile international trade. Chen stated, "A country cannot remain an industrial leader by simply copying foreign technologies."
Shifting Raw Material Supply
Industrial suppliers are expanding production of sodium battery coal anodes to replace expensive synthetic graphite. This shift uses regional carbon resources instead of volatile global trade networks. The new methods protect battery profit margins for budget vehicle segments.
Recent tests show that mass-produced alternative cells are approaching traditional costs. Official data confirms that CATL-Changan sodium cells reached a production cost of $0.051 per watt-hour. These battery packs deliver an energy density of 175 Wh/kg.
Commercialising Alternative Cells
Tech supplier Hina Battery is commercialising these technologies from its headquarters in Wuhan. The firm is building a 2 GWh sodium battery pack line for local transport operations. The infrastructure will serve 115,000 cargo vessels along the Yangtze River.
The new Batteries maintain a 90% capacity retention level at temperatures as low as -20°C. This addresses significant winter performance drop-offs for heavy commercial vehicles. Heavy logistics operations are already testing the platforms to secure regional trade lines.
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