Clarios has set out a clearer route toward commercial sodium‑ion battery production, strengthening its collaborations with Altris and InoBat as it moves toward serial manufacturing before the decade closes.
Announced during CES 2026, the company’s updated strategy centres on an expanded Joint Development Agreement with Swedish sodium‑ion specialist Altris. The agreement supports the Power Sodium platform and deepens the company’s investment in Altris to speed up product development and reinforce a European supply chain for the chemistry.
A second pillar of the plan involves prototype cell work with Slovak manufacturer InoBat. Clarios, Altris and InoBat are preparing the first automotive‑focused sodium‑ion test cells at InoBat’s Slovak facility, using technology developed at its pilot line. Performance testing is being carried out at Clarios’ Hannover laboratories to ensure the cells meet OEM standards. Early results highlight strong cold‑start capability at –25°C, low internal resistance and high power density, supporting reliable operation in winter conditions.
Clarios also reaffirmed its intention to begin serial production of low‑voltage sodium‑ion batteries at a new European or US site designed for scalable manufacturing. The company says this approach supports OEM sustainability targets, reduces dependence on non‑European raw materials and builds a more resilient Western supply chain.
Sodium‑ion technology’s use of abundant, rare earth‑free materials aligns with Clarios’ wider innovation strategy, which includes a $6 billion US investment plan with $1 billion allocated to next‑generation chemistries.
“Launching serial production of sodium-ion batteries is a key step in our mission to deliver innovative, chemistry-agnostic energy solutions for the automotive industry,” said Federico Morales‑Zimmermann, vice president and general manager, Global OEM Customers and Technology at Clarios.
