The next-generation battery landscape has progressed from start-up to scale-up, with more than 250GWh of pipeline capacity expected to be installed by the end of 2025 across a variety of emerging technologies, according to Benchmark’s New Technology Service.

China has a dominant position in the two most developed of these technologies: sodium ion and solid-state. The country is using its existing expertise in lithium ion cell production, as well as state support, to push for significant capacity buildout ahead of demand being fully realised.

Infographic titled Next-gen battery capacity by the end of 202. The chart shows 122.9 GWh of sodium ion production and 90.8 GWh of solid-state battery production both dominated by China. 28.3 GWh of redox-flow batteries is 40% China. 10 GWh of Other technologies is 70% the US.

Sodium ion batteries take top spot for installed production capacity, with 123GWh expected to be online by the end of the year. The technology aims to compete with lithium ion batteries on cost and safety, especially in battery energy storage systems. 

However, low utilisation rates and depressed lithium raw material and cell prices present critical commercialisation challenges, which must be overcome for widespread adoption.

Watch: Sodium ion batteries: Hype vs reality on the road to commercialisation

Over 95% of installed sodium ion battery capacity is in China. The country is also home to four-fifths of the solid-state battery capacity planned for operation by the end of 2025, which is set to reach 91GWh globally. Solid-state batteries promise higher energy density, faster charging, and reduced risk of battery fires, though high initial cost means this technology will likely first be applied in the premium EV segment.

Other next-generation battery technologies are less concentrated in China. Sizable amounts of production capacity for redox-flow batteries, which store energy in liquid electrolytes, is located in Australia (28%), the US (15%), and Saudi Arabia (11%), in addition to China (40%). Nearly 30GWh of redox-flow battery production capacity is set to be online by the end of this year.

The US dominates the capacity pipeline for more niche next-generation technologies including lithium-sulphur, metal-air, and other lithium metal batteries. The country is set to account for 70% of the 10GWh global market for these technologies by the end of 2025.

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