Several US-based companies are working to establish sodium ion battery manufacturing domestically, seeking to compete with China’s dominance in the technology. Unigrid, a San Diego firm, has begun shipping batteries for residential energy storage, recently experiencing increased European demand as customers sought to store power during lower-cost periods and reduce air conditioning costs during heat waves. The company’s nine kilowatt hour battery uses sodium ion rather than lithium ion technology.
Sodium ion batteries have generated interest among energy storage specialists due to potential advantages including lower manufacturing costs, reduced fire risk, and wider temperature tolerance compared to lithium ion alternatives. However, the technology remains subject to ongoing debate regarding optimal design approaches. Current pricing for sodium ion batteries is roughly $100 per kilowatt hour, compared to $81 for lithium iron phosphate batteries, though some industry participants suggest costs could eventually decline significantly. The batteries are also less energy dense than lithium alternatives, making them better suited for stationary storage applications rather than portable devices.
Unigrid’s design incorporates chromium-3 in its cathode, which has prompted safety discussions among battery researchers. Some experts have raised concerns about potential formation of chromium-6, a toxic material, under certain conditions, though Unigrid states the battery has passed European safety certifications and contends concerns are overstated. The company currently sources sodium ion cells from China but indicates potential for future US sourcing.
Other companies advancing sodium ion technology include Seattle-based Emerald Battery Labs, which is developing auxiliary vehicle batteries, and California-Colorado-based Peak Energy, which announced a partnership with General Motors to create a US supply chain for grid-scale energy storage. Peak Energy aims to support GM’s launch of a Michigan production facility by the end of 2028. US competitors view market opportunities as substantial, with one executive suggesting sodium ion could eventually comprise 80% of the energy storage market, particularly for grid applications rather than consumer electronics.
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