Sodium vs. lithium-ion batteries: What's the difference between them?

Two battery technologies, one big question.

By Thomas Godwin Nov. 14, 2026 10:45 am EST IM Imagery/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

Sodium-ion batteries aren't all that different from lithium-ion batteries in terms of how they operate. Both store and release energy by moving charged particles between negative and positive electrodes. The difference is mainly in the composition and which elements supply the ions.