Australian battery company Aeson Power is promoting sodium-ion technology as an alternative to lead-acid for vehicle starting, start-stop and auxiliary power applications.
The company is displaying its automotive sodium-ion portfolio at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, including starter batteries for internal combustion engine vehicles and low-voltage auxiliary batteries for EVs and commercial vehicles.
Aeson said its sodium-ion starter and start-stop batteries have already reached the aftermarket, with more than 100,000 units on the road and sales in more than 30 countries.
The company claims the batteries provide rapid charging and high cold-cranking performance while weighing substantially less than conventional lead-acid batteries. It said their service life in start-stop applications can exceed that of lead-acid batteries by more than three times.
Its move into EV auxiliary batteries is particularly significant because low-voltage vehicle electrical systems remain an important application for lead-acid, including in battery electric vehicles where a separate battery is used to power controls, safety systems and other equipment independently of the high-voltage traction pack.
Aeson is presenting sodium-ion systems for providing this auxiliary and backup power, including during periods when a vehicle is parked or its main propulsion system is inactive.
Shirley Zhang, general manager of Aeson Power, said: “Sodium-ion technology offers broader potential for automotive applications beyond conventional starting batteries.
“Its characteristics make it well suited to auxiliary and backup power applications. Considering its potential advantages in cost, performance and sustainability, we believe sodium-ion technology can play an important role in next-generation automotive low-voltage systems.”
Aeson joining sodium-ion contenders for conventional 12V starter batteries
Aeson is not alone in targeting a market traditionally dominated by lead-acid batteries. Clarios is working with Swedish sodium-ion developer Altris on low-voltage automotive batteries, while Unigrid last year introduced its Na+ Fleet sodium-ion platform as a direct replacement for conventional 12V starter batteries.
More recently, Chinese lead-acid and automotive battery producer Camel Group said its 12V sodium-ion technology had been selected for a pre-development project with an unnamed European vehicle manufacturer.
Camel is also leading a proposed international standard covering 12 V sodium-ion batteries for automotive start-stop applications.
The developments suggest sodium-ion companies are increasingly targeting applications where power capability, low-temperature operation and cycle life can be more important than the high gravimetric energy density demanded by traction batteries.
Aeson is also working with battery manufacturer Xupai Group on production-ready sodium-ion systems aimed at vehicle manufacturers as it seeks to move beyond the aftermarket into OEM supply.
