US start-ups bet on sodium-ion batteries to challenge lithium dominance

US start-ups Unigrid, Emerald Battery Labs and Peak Energy are developing sodium-ion batteries as a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-ion. Unigrid has shipped 100 home batteries of 9 kWh and expects 1,000 by year-end, but still relies on Chinese cells.

• Unigrid sells a 9 kWh home sodium-ion battery at roughly $100 per kWh
• 100 units shipped, 1,000 expected by year-end, demand from Spain, France, Germany
• Peak Energy and GM aim to launch US sodium-ion cell production in Michigan by end of 2028
• LFP batteries trade at $81 per kWh; sodium-ion is pricier and less energy dense