Source: BBC

As China intensifies efforts to commercialise sodium-ion batteries, mopeds have emerged as the proving ground as a potential alternative to lithium-based energy storage.

With major players like Yadea introducing sodium-powered mopeds and building out fast-charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, the global electric mobility sector could soon witness a shift that may have lasting implications for cost, safety, and resource sustainability.

Sodium-ion batteries gain traction in two-wheelers

In early 2025, Chinese manufacturer Yadea showcased a new line of sodium-ion powered mopeds in Hangzhou, China, featuring rapid-charging capabilities and swappable batteries. Unlike traditional lithium-ion or lead-acid models, these mopeds use sodium that’s an abundant and widely available element. The company has launched three sodium-ion models so far and is actively investing in research through its Hangzhou-based energy institute.

The strategic decision to deploy sodium-ion batteries in electric two-wheelers reflects a confluence of technical and market advantages. Two-wheelers are seen by many as ubiquitous in China and Southeast Asia, and require lower energy density compared to cars, making them ideal for sodium-based cells. According to Chen Xi of Xi’an-Jiaotong Liverpool University, this makes two-wheelers a low-risk, high-potential market for emerging battery chemistries.

Early adoption and infrastructure scaling

In 2024 Yadea’s pilot program in Shenzhen, involving 150,000 food delivery couriers and battery-swapping stations, highlighted a crucial step towards practical deployment of sodium-ion two wheelers. With the city aiming to install 20,000 battery-swapping stations by 2025, followed by 50,000 in 2027, two-wheelers are effectively leading the commercial rollout of sodium-ion battery technology.

Other companies, such as Tailg and BYD’s battery division FinDreams, have joined the push, building dedicated sodium-ion manufacturing plants and moped models. Analysts at Shenzhen-based Starting Point Research Institute forecast that by 2030, up to 15% of electric mopeds in China could be powered by sodium-ion batteries—up from just 0.04% in 2023.

Safety and resource security at the forefront

Safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion battery fires in two-wheelers have further positioned sodium as a viable alternative. Sodium-ion batteries are generally more chemically stable and perform better in sub-zero temperatures, an added advantage for northern regions. Additionally, sodium’s abundance may ease supply chain vulnerabilities that plague lithium, cobalt, and nickel procurement.

While sodium-ion batteries currently remain costlier per unit than lithium-ion cells, manufacturing efficiencies and China’s industrial capacity are expected to narrow this gap. The ability to repurpose existing lithium-ion production infrastructure for sodium-ion batteries may give Chinese firms a critical edge in scaling up.

Global implications

Although sodium-ion batteries have yet to prove competitive in larger EVs due to lower energy density, their growing application in two-wheelers could accelerate global adoption, particularly in developing markets where affordability and durability are key. With China projected to control over 90% of global sodium-ion battery capacity by 2033, the two-wheeler segment may become both a testbed and a springboard for broader use cases.

Ultimately, China’s push into sodium-ion batteries through electric mopeds could redefine energy strategies not only for transport but also for broader storage applications, paving the way for more resilient and diversified battery technologies worldwide.