Interesting that CATL are pushing ahead with sodium-ion, but...

Interesting that CATL are pushing ahead with sodium-ion, but highlighting a low temperature niche, combined with li-ion for EVs… this broadly fits with our forecasts for na-ion (assuming they take a larger share in the ESS market)

Dr. Robin Zeng highlighted another significant development, CATL's sodium-ion battery.

"Another significant development is our sodium-ion battery, which does not rely on lithium and has made remarkable progress. Our second-generation sodium-ion battery is already at a level seven out of ten. By next year, we aim to announce a new generation that will reduce costs and improve low-temperature performance, crucial for BEV batteries operating in -20°C to -30°C conditions.

Though sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density, combining them with high energy-density lithium-ion batteries creates the AB Battery pack.

This innovative solution leverages the strengths of both types, enhancing overall performance," he remarked.

https://x.com/andyleyland1/status/1805606415601389659


...this once again proved why lithium market observers have underestimated the resolve of the Chinese in battery development.
...with both CATL and BYD heavily invested in sodium-ion batteries (which does not require lithium), we can only imagine that lithium's dominance in EV batteries would be diluted going forwards, keeping the lithium imbalance to a minimum and lithium price steady.
....as I stated often, EV growth at the expense of (higher) lithium pricing or EV growth with lower for longer lithium price.
....and for lithium miners to survive and prosper in the immediate years, they need to produce more and not be reliant on higher pricing.....hence size is important.
....but what gives lithium miners the valuation premium? Price of their underlying commodity, which is the case for all resource stocks.