Salt-Powered Scooters? China Unveils Breakthrough Battery, India Eyes Next Phase

 Auto News: In a move that could redefine the future of electric transportation, China has introduced a revolutionary battery technology that enables scooters to run on salt-based energy storage. The innovation is centered around sodium-ion batteries, offering a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion technology, which has dominated the EV landscape for over a decade. The new battery is being hailed as a game-changer due to its potential to reduce dependency on rare and expensive minerals like lithium and cobalt. Unlike lithium, which is largely imported and has a high environmental extraction cost, sodium is abundantly available — even in common table salt. This could dramatically cut down battery production costs and help emerging markets like India scale EV adoption faster.

Pilot Programs Begin in Chinese Cities

Developed by Chinese battery manufacturer HiNa Battery Technologies, the sodium-ion batteries are now being integrated into electric two-wheelers for the first time. The first model is expected to hit the Chinese market later this year, with pilot programs already underway in major cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai. Early prototypes have shown comparable performance to lithium-ion powered scooters, especially in urban mobility contexts where range requirements are moderate.

India Could Be the Next Frontier

As India aggressively pushes for EV expansion under its FAME II scheme and rising fuel prices continue to hit consumers hard, sodium-ion technology is being closely watched by Indian policymakers and auto manufacturers. Sources within the Indian EV sector suggest that collaborations with Chinese firms or indigenous development of similar technologies could begin by late 2025 or early 2026.

Experts believe sodium-ion batteries could be a perfect fit for budget-friendly scooters and delivery bikes, which form the backbone of urban transport in Indian metros. Besides affordability, these batteries also offer faster charging times and are less prone to catching fire — an issue that has haunted some lithium-ion powered scooters in the past.

A Sustainable Shift?

Environmentalists are also applauding the move, citing the lower ecological footprint of sodium extraction compared to lithium mining. However, scalability and durability remain key challenges before sodium-ion batteries can become a mainstream reality. For now, China appears to have taken the lead in the race for next-gen EV batteries. But if India can swiftly adapt or innovate, salt-powered scooters may soon become a familiar sight on Indian roads — offering a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable future for everyday mobility.