China unveils sodium-powered scooters made from sea salt, offering a cheaper, faster-charging alternative to lithium-ion batteries and reshaping electric mobility.
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| China’s sodium-ion battery scooters, powered by salt from seawater, promise cheaper and eco-friendly electric transport with fast charging and battery swaps. Image: CH |
Guangxi and Hangzhou, China – June 15, 2025:
China is taking a bold leap in battery innovation by introducing electric scooters powered not by lithium or oil, but by salt-derived sodium-ion batteries. These next-generation vehicles could drastically reduce the cost of electric transport and energy storage, while reshaping the global battery market.
In Guangxi province, a newly operational sodium battery power storage plant is already supplying electricity to approximately 1,500 households daily, signaling a larger push into sustainable energy solutions. But the innovation is now hitting the streets—literally.
Leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer Yadea has begun testing scooters equipped with sodium-ion batteries made from salt collected from seawater. The company unveiled its first sodium-powered scooter models during a promotional event in January 2025, complete with fast-charging pillars capable of reaching 80% charge in just 15 minutes and battery swapping stations enabled by a simple QR code scan.
The projected cost of these scooters ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹51,000, significantly cheaper than conventional electric scooters using lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries. While other countries race to improve lithium-based technology, China appears to be outpacing them by pioneering a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable battery alternative.
Yadea has already launched three sodium-powered models and plans to introduce several more in the near future. To support this push, the company has established the Huayu New Energy Research Institute in Hangzhou, which will focus on advancing sodium-ion battery technology and accelerating commercial adoption.
With sodium-ion batteries offering rapid charging, easy production from abundant resources, and lower costs, China's initiative marks a transformative moment not only for electric vehicles but also for energy storage systems worldwide. The sea salt-powered scooter might just be the vehicle that drives the next battery revolution.