Clarios, a leader in low-voltage battery solutions, is advancing its sodium-ion battery strategy. They are doing this through a stronger partnership with Swedish innovator Altris. This collaboration is formalized through a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). It aims to advance the Power Sodium platform and speed up commercialization.
Clarios is excited to announce that it plans to start producing low-voltage sodium-ion batteries by the end of the decade! The company is working on building a new factory in either Europe or the United States to support this large-scale production. We’re also thrilled to share that Clarios will unveil a new initiative at CES 2026. Stay tuned for more updates This step boosts its commitment to sustainable mobility. It shows Clarios’ dedication to offering chemistry-agnostic energy solutions for OEM customers worldwide. The announcement adds to Clarios’ earlier $6 billion U.S. investment plan. This plan includes $1 billion for next-generation technologies. Sodium-ion will be a key part of the company’s long-term innovation strategy.
Advancing Sodium-Ion Through Strategic Partnerships
Clarios’ sodium-ion strategy is anchored by three major developments designed to accelerate technology readiness and industrialization:
Expanded Equity Investment and Joint Development with Altris has raised its stake in Altris. This effort aims to speed up product development. It also wants to build a strong supply chain for sodium-ion technology in Europe. The Joint Development Agreement defines the partnership between both companies. It provides a clear roadmap for large-scale production.
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Prototype Cell Assembly with InoBat Clarios is teaming up with Altris and InoBat, a Slovak battery maker. Together, they will assemble the first sodium-ion prototype cells for cars. This will happen at InoBat’s facility in Slovakia. These prototype batteries use test cells made at InoBat’s pilot line. They feature Altris’ advanced sodium-ion chemistry. All validation and performance testing takes place in Clarios’ R&D labs in Hannover. This ensures we meet strict OEM requirements.
Initial results show great cold-start performance down to –25°C (–13°F). They also highlight low internal resistance and high power density. These features ensure reliable winter operation and efficient energy delivery in modern vehicles.
Clarios will launch serial production of low-voltage sodium-ion batteries in Europe or the U.S. before 2030. This new facility directly supports OEM sustainability goals and meets regulatory requirements. By producing locally, Clarios cuts its reliance on non-European raw materials. The company boosts its supply chain by making products in Western markets. This cuts global sourcing risks and supports long-term sustainability. Clarios is focused on providing sustainable solutions that benefit both customers and the environment.
Strategic Importance of Sodium-Ion Technology
This initiative focuses on creating a secure, local supply chain for next-generation battery technologies. Clarios focuses on Western partnerships and sourcing strategies. This approach aims to ensure long-term supply security and speed up the use of sodium-ion solutions.
Sodium-ion technology provides a strong alternative to traditional batteries. It uses abundant materials that don’t rely on rare earth elements. This approach also supports circular economy principles. Local cell production in Europe boosts supply security. It also allows for new solutions that meet the changing needs of global automotive customers.
“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. “Our collaboration with Altris and InoBat enables us to accelerate the development of this new technology to benefit our customers.”
Echoing this commitment to partnership, Christer Bergquist, CEO of Altris, said: “Our deepened partnership with Clarios marks an important milestone for sodium-ion technology. By combining expertise, we’re accelerating product development and preparing for industrial-scale production – delivering a sustainable solution that meets the growing global demand for battery innovation.”
This shared vision is forming at InoBat’s facility in Slovakia, which opened in 2024. The site features R&D labs, quality testing, and a pilot production line. This line can produce up to 50,000 cells each year. It supports customer qualification programs and is crucial for future mass production of sodium-ion batteries.