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| The Model Y in Pearl White. |
In the high-stakes race to power the future of electric vehicles and renewable energy, a new battery chemistry is emerging as a game-changer: sodium-ion. While Chinese giants like CATL have established a formidable early lead, a major player from Tesla’s own supply chain is now charging onto the field. South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, a pivotal battery supplier for Tesla’s best-selling models, is launching a full-scale offensive to break China’s near-monopoly on this promising technology.
From Tesla’s Factory to the Sodium Frontier
LG is no stranger to innovation for the EV giant. The company supplies the high-performance 2170 cells for numerous Tesla vehicles, including the Model Y sold across North America. Now, LG is leveraging its manufacturing prowess in a new direction. The battery maker has embarked on a mass production project for sodium-ion batteries, developing the chemistry at its R&D centers.
The plan is concrete and moving fast. According to a detailed report from ETNews, LG will establish a pilot production line for these batteries at its Nanjing factory in China—the very facility that produces batteries for the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. The goal is to begin sample production this very year, with an eye toward eventually equipping electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) with the safer, more affordable technology.
To secure its supply chain for this venture, LG has already signed a strategic agreement with the Chinese petrochemical giant Sinopec for key sodium-ion battery electrode materials.
Why Sodium-Ion is the Chemistry to Watch
Sodium-ion technology swaps expensive and geographically concentrated lithium for abundant, cheap sodium as its key charge-carrying ion. The advantages are compelling:
- Lower Cost: Sodium is ubiquitous, potentially driving down cell costs significantly.
- Enhanced Safety: The chemistry is inherently more stable and less prone to thermal runaway than some high-nickel lithium counterparts.
- Cold Weather Performance: Sodium-ion batteries can outperform standard Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in sub-zero temperatures.
The technology is already moving beyond the lab. Commercial products, like the first sodium-ion jump starter available on Amazon, are showcasing these benefits to consumers. Meanwhile, the world's largest battery manufacturer, CATL, has set a high bar with its "Naxtra" cells, cracking the code on energy density—a traditional weakness for sodium-ion. This means LG has its work cut out to become the first Korean company to introduce a competitive, mass-produced sodium-ion battery.
Tesla’s Evolving Battery Partnership with LG
This sodium-ion push comes as LG continues to deepen its battery partnership with Tesla. Recently, Tesla upgraded the range of its 2026 Model Y and Model 3 by integrating new LG 2170 cells. These cells, using an NCM811 chemistry, boast higher energy density, packing more capacity into the same size. This directly translates to longer official range estimates.
Perhaps more impactful for drivers is the improved charging performance. The new LG batteries can reportedly achieve a 256 kW peak charging rate and maintain a flatter charging curve for longer, enabling faster charging sessions. While some independent repair shops have historically questioned the longevity of LG packs in Teslas compared to Panasonic's, it remains unclear if such assessments considered these latest, advanced cells.
One thing is certain: LG is cemented as a major strategic supplier for Tesla. The prospect of LG adding cost-effective, safe, and high-performance sodium-ion batteries to its portfolio could offer Tesla and other automakers a powerful new tool to make EVs more accessible and versatile.
The Bottom Line
The battery landscape is shifting. As the industry seeks alternatives to mitigate lithium constraints and costs, sodium-ion has moved from a theoretical alternative to a concrete battleground. LG Energy Solution’s aggressive entry signals that the competition will be fierce. With its established manufacturing muscle and direct line to one of the world's most influential EV makers, LG is poised to be a formidable contender in the race to define the next generation of battery power.
Source: ETNews (in Korean)