Date & Time: 10 March 2026 at 2 pm CET
Organizer: IRENA
Description: The rapid expansion of electric vehicles is driving unprecedented demand for critical materials. Meeting a 1.5°C-aligned pathway requires EV battery production to grow fivefold by 2030, intensifying pressure on lithium, cobalt and nickel supply chains that remain highly concentrated and vulnerable.
Sodium-ion batteries offer a strategic alternative. Based on abundant and widely distributed materials, they can reduce dependence on critical minerals, diversify supply chains, and enhance resilience. While not a universal replacement for lithium-ion technologies, sodium-ion systems are increasingly viable for specific EV segments and stationary storage applications. This session explores future battery chemistry pathways toward 2030, highlighting how accelerated deployment of sodium-ion can ease material constraints while supporting rapid electrification. It will also outline key policy actions to foster innovation, strengthen circularity, and build more resilient and sustainable battery value chains.
