Overview
- An independent RWTH Aachen teardown published June 21–22 tested 120 Hina sodium-ion cells and found tight manufacturing uniformity, with cell-to-cell resistance varying only 5.3%.
- The study found a tabless, double-aluminum current-collector design that matches Tesla-style architecture and helps cut electrical resistance and even temperature across the cell.
- Researchers flagged clear technical limits: sodium cells have lower energy density than top lithium cells, they struggle with charging at low temperatures, and they show uneven, unexpectedly high copper in parts of the cathode that could affect aging.
- CATL on June 22–23 unveiled a field-validated TENER sodium-ion battery energy-storage system, announced large capacity investments, and set shipment targets that include 1 GWh cumulative deliveries in China by end-2026 and global deliveries starting mid-2027.
- If sodium scales as CATL and others expect, the chemistry could cut raw-material costs and reduce supply concentration risk for large-scale storage and short-range EVs, but energy density, cold charging and long-term field aging must be proven over years of operation.