Lithium-ion limits spur research as EVs reach 30% by 2026
Lithium-ion batteries, those powering your phone and electric cars, are starting to max out, facing limits in energy, safety, and performance.
But with electric vehicles set to make up 30% of car sales by 2026 and battery demand booming, researchers are racing to build better options.
Solid-state planned for 2027; CATL plans a sodium-ion EV by mid-2026
Solid-state batteries swap flammable liquids for safer solids, aiming for higher energy and stability.
There are still hurdles like material brittleness, but new ceramic-polymer designs are helping.
Meanwhile, sodium-ion batteries use cheaper, more common materials and could match lithium's energy density.
Plus, new manufacturing methods cut costs and energy use: Samsung and Toyota plan to mass-produce solid-state batteries by 2027; CATL plans solid-state by 2027 and a sodium-ion EV by mid-2026.