Why are lithium batteries being replaced by salt batteries in China?
China, already a leader in lithium-ion battery production, has taken the lead in the manufacture of salt (sodium-ion) batteries.
Salt batteries appear to be gaining popularity in eastern China. Outside a shopping mall in Hangzhou, numerous electric mopeds can be seen, attracting pedestrians interested in trying them out.
Unlike Vespa-like scooters, which range in price from $400 to $660, these don’t use the typical lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries common in electric two-wheelers.
Instead, these scooters are equipped with batteries made from sodium, an element easily obtained from sea salt.
Along with these scooters, there are several fast-charging stations that allow the batteries to be recharged from 0% to 80% in just 15 minutes, according to Yadea, one of China’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers.
Meanwhile, globally, efforts are focused on matching China’s position in the production of affordable, safe, and efficient lithium-ion batteries. Chinese companies have already taken significant steps toward mass production of sodium-ion batteries.
Batteries made of salt
Chinese automakers became global pioneers in the introduction of sodium-powered vehicles. Despite this, the impact of these tiny “microcars” has been relatively small to date.
One of the biggest disadvantages of sodium-ion batteries is their low energy density; a 2020 analysis indicated it is at least 30% lower than that of lithium-ion batteries.
This means that cars using this technology cannot travel long distances on a single charge, as noted by Phate Zhang, founder of CnEVPost, a Shanghai-based EV media outlet. “Range is crucial when choosing an EV,” he says.
Currently, sodium-ion battery production is still far from reaching mass scale and “cannot compete in terms of cost or performance” with lithium-ion batteries in four-wheel vehicles, according to Chen Shan, a battery market analyst at Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy.
In addition, power grid operators in China have begun construction of energy storage facilities using sodium-ion batteries, which will allow for better integration of renewable energy sources.
Batteries made of salt
However, for many people, there are other compelling reasons to choose sodium-ion batteries. One of them is safety.
In 2024, China faced a series of battery-related fires, mainly due to self-combustion of lithium-ion batteries in motorcycles.
Globally, fire alarms at energy storage facilities have become a major concern. A recent case in point was a fire at a well-known battery plant in California in January 2025.
Some experts believe that sodium-ion batteries are safer. They are less likely to overheat and catch fire, thanks to the more stable chemical properties of sodium.
Low temperatures also play an important role. Sodium-ion batteries are less vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.
In addition, sodium-ion batteries are expected to have a lower environmental impact compared to lithium-ion batteries, which require heavy metals such as cobalt and nickel in their production, which can be harmful to both humans and the environment.