China Salt Battery Electric Scooters Drive Innovation

China Salt Battery Electric Scooters: A Quiet Revolution on Two Wheels

China salt battery electric scooters are quietly revolutionizing urban transportation. Commonly seen zipping through Chinese city streets, these electric scooters are becoming champions of a green tech shift. While the world races to perfect lithium-ion batteries, China is shifting its focus to sodium-ion—or “salt”—batteries.

This quiet revolution is gaining traction not in sleek electric cars, but in China’s favorite urban ride—the electric scooter. These affordable and practical two-wheelers are everywhere, driving innovation by testing safer, cheaper battery chemistry. With manufacturers like Yadea and Tailg leading the charge, China’s push may soon spark a global shift.

Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Matter for China’s Electric Scooters

Abundance and Accessibility

Sodium is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, commonly found in seawater and the Earth’s crust. It’s around 400 times more abundant than lithium, which currently dominates the rechargeable battery market. This abundance makes sodium a promising element for China salt battery electric scooters, offering a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology.

Lithium needs complex mining in countries like Australia and Chile, and most of it is refined in China. Sodium, by contrast, promises cheaper and more sustainable production. That abundance makes sodium-ion batteries particularly attractive for mass-market applications such as scooters.

Similar Structure, Different Chemistry

Sodium-ion batteries function similarly to lithium-ion ones, and this technology is central to China salt battery electric scooters. Both involve the movement of ions between a cathode and anode to charge and discharge. The key difference lies in the ion itself. Sodium ions are larger and heavier, which lowers their energy density—the key to how much energy a battery stores.

Still, sodium-ion tech is quickly advancing, making it ideal for low-range uses like short scooter commutes.

The Chinese Salt Battery Electric Scooter Surge

Two-Wheelers as a Launchpad

In China, two-wheelers dominate urban transport. Known affectionately as “little electric donkeys,” these scooters shuttle commuters, delivery drivers, and students through packed city streets.

In 2023 alone, over 55 million electric scooters were sold in China—dwarfing the sales of electric cars. This popularity creates an enormous opportunity to test and scale emerging technologies like sodium-ion batteries.

Yadea, one of China’s largest scooter manufacturers, is leveraging this market by embedding sodium-ion batteries into new scooter models and building a support ecosystem of fast-charging and battery-swapping stations.

Battery Swapping: A Game Changer for China’s Salt Battery Scooters

Speed and Convenience for Urban Users

Yadea has introduced a battery-swapping system that enables users to exchange a drained battery for a fresh one in just 30 seconds using a simple QR code scan. These stations are being deployed across major cities, particularly in Shenzhen, where more than 150,000 food delivery couriers are participating in a pilot program.

The city’s government, along with industry partners like the Shenzhen Electric Bicycle Industry Association, plans to install 50,000 charging or swapping pods by 2027. By 2025, commuters are expected to find a charging station every five minutes of travel time.

Such infrastructure eliminates one of the primary barriers to electric vehicle adoption: range anxiety.

Leading the Sodium Battery Pack in China’s Electric Scooters

Yadea and Tailg: Pioneers in Practice

China salt battery electric scooters are gaining momentum as Yadea has already launched three sodium-ion powered scooter models and is actively expanding production. Their new research facility, the Hangzhou Huayu New Energy Research Institute, focuses exclusively on alternative chemistries like sodium-ion.

Tailg, another major manufacturer, began offering sodium-powered scooters in 2023 and is investing in research and development alongside larger battery firms.

Meanwhile, CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, announced plans in 2025 to mass-produce sodium-ion batteries under its Naxtra brand, targeting both heavy-duty vehicles and energy storage.

Salt Battery vs Lithium: Advantages for China’s Electric Scooters

Safety in Focus

After a series of battery fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2024, especially in scooters and energy storage stations, safety has become a top priority. Sodium-ion batteries are believed to be chemically more stable, reducing the likelihood of overheating and combustion.

Research from Chinese universities, including Xi’an Jiaotong University, supports this. Sodium’s stable behavior and lower heat sensitivity make it less prone to runaway reactions, a problem that has plagued lithium-ion systems.

Better in Cold Weather

Sodium-ion batteries also outperform lithium-ion in extremely cold climates. A team at Xi’an Jiaotong has developed a special electrolyte that maintains 80% capacity at −40°C—a major breakthrough for regions with harsh winters.

Challenges on the Road Ahead

Energy Density Limits

Despite its promise, sodium-ion battery technology still struggles with lower energy density. Studies show that these batteries can store 30% less energy than comparable lithium-ion cells, making them less suitable for long-range EVs.

This limitation explains why sodium-powered cars have not yet made a splash. In 2024, only 204 sodium-powered microcars were sold in China—minuscule compared to the tens of millions of electric vehicles sold that year.

Production Costs and Market Dynamics

While sodium is cheaper as a raw material, sodium-ion batteries are not yet cheaper to produce than lithium-ion due to a lack of scaled manufacturing. Moreover, the price of lithium has dropped dramatically since 2022, lessening the urgency for alternatives in the eyes of some manufacturers.

Even so, the battery industry views sodium-ion as a strategic backup—especially in scenarios where lithium supply chains are disrupted.

A Bigger Market: Energy Storage

Why Stationary Storage Is Ideal

While sodium-ion batteries face hurdles in EVs, they are particularly suited for energy storage systems (ESS). Unlike vehicles, these systems don’t need to worry about weight or size, making sodium’s lower energy density a non-issue.

As renewable energy sources like solar and wind proliferate, grid-scale energy storage becomes essential to store power during off-peak hours and release it when demand spikes.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global energy storage capacity must increase 35-fold by 2030 to meet climate goals. Sodium-ion batteries, with their cost-effectiveness and safety, are likely to play a central role.

Environmental Impact: A Greener Alternative?

Mining and Emissions

China salt battery electric scooters benefit from sodium’s abundance, which allows extraction with less environmental disruption compared to lithium. A 2024 study from Chalmers University of Technology found that sodium-ion batteries could greatly reduce reliance on critical minerals like cobalt and nickel, often sourced from conflict-prone or ecologically sensitive areas.

However, the study also noted that current production emits greenhouse gases at levels similar to lithium-ion manufacturing. Improving efficiency and recycling will be essential for long-term sustainability.

Government Backing and Policy Drivers

China’s push into sodium-ion is not just driven by private industry. The Chinese government has strongly supported battery diversification as part of its broader clean energy strategy.

Sodium-ion research is a key focus in the Five-Year Plans for industrial development. Subsidies, research grants, and pilot projects have encouraged both established firms and startups to invest in the technology.

Cities like Shenzhen and Hangzhou are becoming innovation hubs for sodium battery deployment, backed by favorable local policies and public-private partnerships.

The Future Outlook: Is Salt the New Lithium?

Scooters as a Stepping Stone

While China salt battery electric scooters are not yet ready to replace lithium batteries everywhere, they are well positioned to carve out a niche in light electric vehicles. With continued investment, growing consumer awareness, and a supportive ecosystem, sodium-powered scooters could soon become mainstream in China and beyond.

By 2030, analysts predict that 15% of Chinese electric scooters will use sodium-ion batteries—a huge jump from just 0.04% in 2023. This growth could also spread to emerging markets like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, where two-wheelers dominate.

Beyond Two Wheels

The real prize for sodium-ion might be in stationary storage and commercial vehicles. As production scales and costs drop, sodium could supplement lithium in powering grids, buses, and trucks, reducing global dependence on scarce resources.

And for China, being the first to master this technology means strategic and economic advantage in a world where clean tech is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of energy policy.

Small Wheels, Big Shift

From crowded city lanes to sprawling industrial parks, China’s push into sodium-ion batteries via electric scooters is a masterclass in technological innovation meeting real-world practicality. While the chemistry isn’t perfect, the path is clear—salt batteries are no longer just lab experiments. They’re on the streets, on the grid, and on the rise.

As nations seek alternatives to lithium amid mounting environmental and geopolitical challenges, China’s early lead in sodium-ion battery deployment—especially through its beloved “little electric donkeys”—may well determine the future of global energy storage.