sodium batteries

[A J]

Hey Folks,

Found some battery prices during search for Lithium versus Sodium.

I am not a battery expert but hope that this would translate to the Bot World.

Cost Comparison: Sodium‑Ion vs. Lithium‑Ion (per kWh)

Industry sources consistently show that sodium‑ion batteries cost far less to produce than lithium‑ion. The exact numbers vary by chemistry and manufacturer, but the ranges are surprisingly consistent.

💰 Lithium‑Ion Battery Cost (per kWh)

Typical 2025–2026 market prices:

• $100–$150 per kWh for LFP (lithium iron phosphate)

• $130–$200 per kWh for NMC (nickel‑manganese‑cobalt)

These values align with industry comparisons in the sources you triggered, which emphasize lithium’s higher material cost due to lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

💰 Sodium‑Ion Battery Cost (per kWh)

Industry analyses show sodium‑ion is significantly cheaper because:

• Sodium is abundant and inexpensive

• No cobalt or nickel

• Lower‑cost cathode materials

• Simpler, cheaper manufacturing lines

Typical cost estimates:

• $40–$80 per kWh (current early mass‑production range)

• Some Chinese manufacturers claim $30–$50 per kWh is achievable at scale by 2026–2027.

These claims are supported by cost‑focused comparisons in the sources you triggered, which highlight sodium’s lower raw‑material and manufacturing costs.

[Sergei Grichine]

Well, besides the cost there's a discharge curve that would discourage even the bravest of us:

Best Regards,

-- Sergei

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[Alan Timm]

Normally I don't get excited about the promises of future battery tech, but it looks like 2026 may be the year of interesting and exciting things.

For those of us following, do you think donut's acquisition of Nordic Nano will result in commercial cells in 2026?

https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/12/1129991/sodium-ion-batteries-2026-breakthrough-technology/

https://www.donutlab.com/battery/

[Chris Albertson]

Do we really care about the cost per kWh for robots?  I think what matters more to us is power density, that would be kWh per cubic volume.    I want the most power I can fit into the space.

It is different with cars.   In an EV, the cost of the battery matters but also the lifetime or the total number of charge/discharge cycles you can get out of the battery.   One common measure is the “lifetime kWh” per dollar you can get over the battery’s useful lifetime.

[Dan]

kilowatts = power

kilowatt hours = energy

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[A J]

It looks the sodium-ion battery has potential for the Bot market but it really depends on the demand by manufacturers.  

AI Overview

The global sodium-ion battery market is projected to reach approximately

USD 1.2 billion to USD 2.6 billion by 2028, growing at a significant CAGR, with some estimates suggesting a 16.2% annual growth rate. By 2028, the technology is expected to be a major competitor to lithium-ion, driven by its cost-effectiveness, safety, and abundance, particularly for stationary energy storage and low-speed electric vehicles. 

Key Trends and Projections by 2028

• Market Size & Growth: The market is poised for significant expansion, with reports placing its value between USD 1.2 billion and USD 2.6 billion by 2028.
• Dominance of China: China is expected to control over 90% of global sodium-ion battery production by 2030, with 2026-2028 being critical for establishing dominance in the supply chain.
• Technological Advancements: By 2028, sodium-ion batteries are anticipated to achieve, and in some cases exceed, the energy density of current LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, making them suitable for broader applications.
• Key Players & Production: Major manufacturers like CATL (with Naxtra) and EVE Energy are investing heavily in sodium-ion, with significant production capacity, including AI-driven manufacturing and specialized, large-scale battery projects (e.g., 20 GWh plants), expected to be fully operational by 2026–2028.
• Applications: While not replacing lithium in all areas, sodium-ion is becoming the standard for large-scale grid energy storage, industrial, and residential storage, and is increasingly adopted for smaller EVs, e-scooters, and in cold climates due to superior temperature performance. 

Factors Driving Growth

• Cost and Sustainability: Sodium is much more abundant and cheaper to extract than lithium, leading to lower, more stable production costs.
• Performance Benefits: Sodium-ion batteries offer faster charging times (10-20 minutes) and better safety, with lower risk of fire or explosion compared to lithium-ion.
• Material Independence: They do not require lithium, cobalt, or nickel, reducing reliance on volatile supply chains. 

Challenges

• Lower Energy Density: Sodium-ion batteries currently have a lower energy density than lithium-ion, limiting their use in high-performance or long-range electric vehicles.
• Industry Maturity: Although rapidly improving, the technology is less mature, with 2026-2028 serving as the critical period for establishing long-term reliability and market share. 

[Pito Salas]

Interesting stuff.

I use TalentCell Lithium Ion batteries. I started using them with student projects after being scared straight about LiPo fire dangers. I give students an earful about how to treat LiPos and then check them out individually before I allow them to charge them. But for my own projects, I can be more liberal.

Question: What do YOU use to power your robots? I get the feeling LiPos are still a mainstay but maybe there’s a better goto power source?

Best,

Pito

Boston Robot Hackers && 

Comp. Sci Faculty, Brandeis University (Emeritus)

Best Regards,
-- Sergei


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[James K. Bond]

I was surprised by the certainty around price because I didn’t think they’d resolved manufacturing issues, but it sounds from this that they haven’t. For cars, which have been the big driver for batteries of course, power per kg is the biggest issue. The lab reports on sodium batteries have been good there, but sodium itself is quite a bit heavier. 

On Jan 18, 2026, at 15:46, Alan Timm <gest...@gmail.com> wrote:

Normally I don't get excited about the promises of future battery tech, but it looks like 2026 may be the year of interesting and exciting things.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hbrobotics/42ac9cd3-32a7-4138-a063-4dffe7091127n%40googlegroups.com.

[Sergei Grichine]

What matters to me when building a 50–100 lb robot:

- Fire safety. I avoid LiPo packs; I may consider Li-ion, but I definitely prefer LiFePO₄ everywhere. LiPos are for flying platforms, and some Li-ion chemistries are as well. Ground robots are simply safer with more stable battery types.
- Price. LiFePO₄ batteries in the 20–50 Ah range are fairly priced nowadays.
- Cost of chargers and protection hardware. Chargers are usually a one-time investment and, in most cases, don’t need to be especially fancy. Diodes and capacitors are cheap, but electronic shunts can be pricey.
- Battery cycle life, size, and weight are not major constraints for me. That said, I still don’t want to go back to full-size, automotive-grade lead heavyweights.

I also keep in mind that once a BMS is involved, the robot’s main power bus needs protection from DC motor current spikes. So far, large electrolytic capacitors have solved that problem for me, but more sophisticated mitigation measures (shunts) add cost and complexity.

Sodium-based batteries introduce an additional requirement: some form of regulation or stabilization between the battery and the motors, since the cell voltage typically drops from about 4 V to 2 V over a normal discharge cycle. This isn’t a complete show-stopper, but it is a significant design consideration.

Best Regards, 
-- Sergei
   

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[A J]

Yes, Lithium looks like the best option for the near future. In theory, the Lithium chemistry could store energy at much higher densities. Maybe the Blackwell could accelerate the research. There are other metals be considered.

AI Overview

Yes, while lithium offers high energy density in current batteries, metals like Magnesium, Aluminum, Zinc, and even Sodium (though often lower energy density but safer/abundant) are explored for higher potential energy storage, safer operation, or lower cost, with Lithium metal batteries (using pure Li anode) surpassing traditional Li-ion for density, and research pushing boundaries with even more advanced chemistries. 

Metals with Higher Potential Energy Density (Theoretical/Research):

• Magnesium (Mg): Can theoretically hold nearly double the energy per volume of lithium-ion, offers better stability, lower cost, and avoids dendrite growth.
• Aluminum (Al): Batteries using aluminum have shown extremely fast charging capabilities (minutes) due to densely packed atoms.
• Zinc (Zn): Offers higher energy density than Li-ion and is safer, though faces challenges with crystal formation (dendrites).
• Lithium Metal (Li-Metal): Pure lithium metal anodes in advanced batteries significantly boost energy density (300-500 Wh/kg) compared to graphite anodes in Li-ion (100-270 Wh/kg). 

Other Considerations:

• Sodium (Na): While generally lower energy density than lithium, sodium batteries offer excellent safety (nonflammable), lower cost, and abundant supply, ideal for grid storage.
• Cobalt (Co): Often used with lithium (e.g., LiCoO2), cobalt's elemental properties make it very energy-dense, a key component in high-density devices. 

In Summary: Lithium is currently a top performer, but researchers are actively developing magnesium, aluminum, and next-gen lithium-metal batteries, plus exploring abundant alternatives like sodium, for improved energy, safety, and cost

[Stephen Williams]

This is a LiFePO4 that I noted a while ago for robotics.  But those kinds of batteries are heavy.: https://manlybattery.com/product-item/48v-50ah-battery-for-robot/

But probably the next big thing in batteries for EVs, robots, eVTOLs will be a "solid state" lithium battery that is said to be ultra-safe and high density.

Based on the statement below, I guess the robots will keep coming even if you shoot the batteries full of holes.  So that is something. ;-)

https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/55342397/electronic-design-chery-to-test-exeed-ev-with-solid-state-battery-in-2026

The Chery Solid-State Battery Research Institute developed the module, adopting an in-situ polymerized solid-electrolyte system paired with a lithium-rich manganese cathode material.

According to Chery, the cell maintained power delivery even after abuse tests, such as nail penetration and power-drill damage, without catching fire. In theory, vehicles equipped with this technology could exceed 1,500 km on a single charge, with real-world driving ranges expected to reach 1,300 km.

The company has stated its plans for a pilot operation in 2026 and a broader rollout in 2027.

sdw

On 1/19/26 8:10 PM, A J wrote:

The lithium battery chemistry probably has more upward mobility for performance and lower prices. While the sodium battery might reach the level of density & performance with descent price and safety specs. 

AI Overview

Lithium-ion batteries currently lead in energy density (Wh/kg & Wh/L) for compact devices, but

sodium-ion batteries are catching up, especially in cost, safety, and wide temperature performance, making them ideal for large-scale storage and cost-sensitive applications; sodium's inherent properties limit its peak density compared to lithium, but tech advances aim to narrow the gap, with sodium-ion batteries partially overlapping with lower-end Li-ion (LFP) types now. Sodium-ion batteries won't likely surpass lithium's peak density but offer compelling advantages for stationary storage and smaller EVs where weight/volume isn't critical. 

Energy Density: Lithium Leads, Sodium Closing In 

• Lithium-ion: Higher energy density (150-250+ Wh/kg), better for lightweight, long-range EVs and portable electronics.
• Sodium-ion: Lower current density (~100-160 Wh/kg) but advancing rapidly, with some nearing LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) levels, notes this source.
• Volumetric Density: Lithium-ion significantly higher (250-700 Wh/L vs. ~100-200 Wh/L for sodium), meaning less space for same energy. 

Can Sodium Catch Up?

• In performance (Wh/kg): Unlikely to fully surpass top-tier lithium, due to sodium's larger ion size, but becoming very competitive in the mid-range.
• In application: Yes, it's a strong contender for stationary storage (grid, home) and low-speed EVs where cost and safety outweigh density needs. 

Sodium's Advantages (Beyond Density)

• Cost & Abundance: Sodium is vastly more abundant and cheaper than lithium.
• Safety: Inherently safer, less prone to thermal runaway, and functions better in extreme cold (-40°C). 

Key Takeaway

Lithium-ion remains superior for high-performance needs, but sodium-ion offers a cheaper, safer, more sustainable alternative, carving out significant market share in large-scale energy storage where its lower density isn't a major drawback. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hbrobotics/41a4a58f-4042-4ca0-aea6-ad463a1b225en%40googlegroups.com.

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Stephen D. Williams Founder: VolksDroid, Blue Scholar Foundation 650-450-8649 | fax:703-995-0407 | s...@lg.net | https://VolksDroid.org | https://BlueScholar.org | https://sdw.st/in

[Stephen Williams]

Google AI summary:

Solid-state lithium batteries promise significantly higher energy densities than current lithium-ion batteries, with potentials ranging from 300 to over 800 Wh/kg, compared to the 160-250 Wh/kg of Li-ion, enabling lighter, longer-range devices, though achieving these figures in mass production faces technical hurdles like electrolyte density and manufacturing scaling. While lab prototypes reach 400 Wh/kg and above, commercial rollout is anticipated around 2026-2027, with early semi-solid-state examples already showing promising results. 

Typical Energy Density Ranges:

• Current Li-ion: ~160-250 Wh/kg
• Solid-State Potential: 300-500 Wh/kg, with some aiming for 800 Wh/k

sdw

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hbrobotics/496b7e0c-fd3c-47ad-9761-58fbf81a972b%40lig.net.

[Michael Wimble]

Dare I ask what this battery costs?

[A J]

Perhaps the area where Sodium-Ion or Sodium solid-state (or other metals) is that they could replace the current performance Lithium batteries at a better price point as Lithium solid-state take off. 

AI Overview

Solid-state lithium batteries are currently

significantly more expensive than traditional lithium-ion batteries due to early-stage production and complex manufacturing processes, but their costs are projected to drop dramatically with mass production and technological advancements. 

---

Current Cost Comparison

• Older (Traditional Lithium-ion) Batteries: Current average costs for Li-ion battery packs are approximately $100-$150 per kWh. Costs are expected to fall even further by 2030, potentially reaching as low as $56-$80 per kWh.
• Newer (Solid-State Lithium) Batteries: In their current prototype/early production stage, solid-state batteries cost between $400-$800 per kWh or more, several times the cost of Li-ion. 

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Future Cost Projections (towards 2036)

While current costs are high, the industry anticipates a significant price reduction as solid-state technology matures and manufacturing scales up. 

• Some experts do not expect cost parity until the late 2020s.
• Nissan has a target price of $75 per kWh for their solid-state batteries by 2028, potentially dropping to $65 per kWh in subsequent years.
• With rapid market expansion and large-scale application, cell prices for all-solid-state batteries could fall to approximately $80-$100 per kWh by 2035, a price point comparable to current or future traditional Li-ion batteries. 

---

Performance vs. Cost Trade-Offs

The higher potential performance (e.g., the potential to reach or exceed the user's estimated 100-1000 Wh/kg, with lab prototypes already achieving over 500 Wh/kg) is the main driver for development, as higher energy density can translate into smaller, lighter battery packs that offer a better overall value proposition (e.g., longer EV range). In the long term, due to potential manufacturing simplifications and enhanced lifespan, solid-state batteries might offer comparable or better long-term value despite a potentially higher upfront cost compared to older technologies. 

[Stephen Williams]

I can't remember now if I found out.  I just put in an inquiry for a price list.

Probably expensive.  Because I needed an extreme UPS for my big computer, I bought some EcoFlow batteries when they were on sale.  Expensive, but LiFePO4: High power, 4000 charge cycles expected.  This is their clip on battery for some of their battery-driven appliances (the heat pump):

https://us.ecoflow.com/products/ecoflow-wave-3-add-on-battery  1024Wh 4000cycles XT60 port.  $649

Or the old version:

https://us.ecoflow.com/collections/smart-devices/products/ecoflow-wave-2-add-on-battery2?variant=42077365436489  1159Wh $349

Those aren't meant to be used directly.  They have many other batteries that are:

Here is 288Wh in 5.69lb for $267:

https://us.ecoflow.com/products/trail-series?variant=54553980043337&view=trail

I see they also have a 288Wh at 4.98lbs with NCM chemistry (really Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO

2sub 2

) according to Google.) for $300

I have a heavy 2048Wh + 2048Wh addon as a super UPS.  You can add something like 3-4 addon batteries.  Not portable for a robot unless it is a rolling vehicle.  But an impressive battery.  Their whole house batteries are much bigger.

sdw

On 1/20/26 12:54 AM, Michael Wimble wrote:

 Dare I ask what this battery costs?

On Jan 19, 2026, at 11:19 PM, 'Stephen Williams' via HomeBrew Robotics Club <hbrob...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

This is a LiFePO4 that I noted a while ago for robotics.  But those kinds of batteries are heavy.: https://manlybattery.com/product-item/48v-50ah-battery-for-robot/

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