US Firms Have Launched Sodium Ion Battery Production
Domestic companies are building sodium ion batteries to offer alternatives to traditional lithium technology.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
Live Poll
Should the US prioritize domestic manufacturing for new energy technologies over relying on international sources?
U.S.-based companies have begun developing domestic manufacturing for sodium ion batteries to serve as alternatives to lithium ion technology. These efforts aim to build a supply chain using domestically sourced materials as electricity demand rises.
Why it matters
Domestic production could secure energy storage supplies as demand from data centers grows. Moving away from imported components aims to stabilize the supply chain for home and grid energy storage needs.
San Diego-based Unigrid is shipping 9 kilowatt hour battery units at a cost of $100 per kilowatt hour. The company aims to ship 1,000 units by the end of 2026.
The players
Unigrid
A San Diego-based battery manufacturer that specializes in energy storage units for peak demand management.
Peak Energy
An energy storage firm currently working to build a domestic battery supply chain through a partnership with General Motors.
General Motors
A major automotive manufacturer that has expanded into energy storage partnerships to help secure battery supply chains.
Emerald Battery Labs
A Seattle-based company actively involved in the development of domestic battery technologies.
The details
Companies are developing sodium ion batteries as a substitute for lithium ion technology to take advantage of domestic material sourcing. Unigrid currently utilizes cells imported from China for its energy storage units, which are designed to support homes during peak electrical demand. Peak Energy is also scaling infrastructure through a partnership with General Motors to establish production capabilities.
Timeline
Peak Energy entered a partnership with General Motors in June 2026.
Unigrid expects to ship 1,000 battery units by the end of 2026.
Peak Energy plans to open a manufacturing facility in Michigan by the end of 2028.
The Home Front
Domestic sodium ion manufacturing represents a shift away from the industry's reliance on lithium ion battery technology. This development mirrors broader efforts to create local supply chains for home energy storage components.
Homeowners currently exploring off-grid or backup storage should monitor the competitive pricing of sodium ion units versus traditional lithium models. Keep an eye on regional availability of these storage systems as companies scale production over the next two years.
The takeaway
Domestic sodium ion production is expanding to create a more localized energy storage market. Homeowners should track how these new battery costs compare to lithium-based storage systems as more units become available for residential use.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving energy storage market, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
Live Poll
Should the US prioritize domestic manufacturing for new energy technologies over relying on international sources?
