GM is getting in on the data center game auto giant will start building huge sodium-ion batteries to help with energy storage

Date:
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:40:00 +0000

Description:
GM and Peak Energy will develop sodium-ion batteries for utilities and data centers, aiming to lower power storage costs.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter GM enters large-scale energy storage through a sodium-ion battery partnership Sodium-ion batteries promise cheaper storage without complex cooling systems Peak Energy supplies storage systems while GM builds sodium-ion cells General Motors (GM) has announced a partnership with energy storage firm Peak Energy in a move marking a notable shift in the automaker's battery strategy.

Under the agreement, GM will manufacture sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery cells
for stationary energy storage systems serving utilities, data centers , and other large electricity users. Peak Energy will then deploy those cells
within its own proprietary storage systems for utilities and large power users. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Why sodium instead of
lithium Na-ion batteries share considerable chemical similarity with the lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells that dominate portable electronics and electric vehicles today. However, the comparisons largely end at that basic chemistry.

GM and Peak argue Na-ion systems can operate across a much wider temperature range. You may like New sodium battery creates an internal barrier that helps prevent battery fires Panasonic says data center batteries are also selling out months in advance Google may have found a sneaky way to get all the electricity it needs for its data centers

This potentially eliminates the costly cooling infrastructure that grid-scale Li-ion deployments typically require.

When youre talking to a utility, a hyperscaler, or other power providers in need of energy storage solutions, their priority is not maximizing range or minimizing weight, said Kurt Kelty, GM VP of battery and sustainability. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro
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It is delivering reliable, affordable power over long periods of time in real-world conditions.

That distinction matters because sodium's biggest weakness lower energy density compared to lithium translates into larger, heavier battery packs
for equivalent storage capacity.

For a vehicle, that trade-off would be disqualifying, but for a stationary installation bolted to the ground, weight simply does not factor into the equation at all. What to read next This lithium-ion breakthrough could solve
a global battery issue Meta to power data centers with space-based solar energy Microsoft hands Linux Foundation key Surface data to help fix laptop battery life The manufacturing gap GM hopes to close Peak Energy has already developed passively cooled Na-ion storage systems that the company claims reduce energy storage costs by 20% compared to Li-ion options.

Peak's own analysis suggests the US could avoid roughly 2TW hours of wasted energy annually if Li-ion phosphate systems were replaced with its Na-ion technology.

Kelty argues GM's existing expertise in cell design, prototyping, and industrialization translates directly to Na-ion manufacturing, citing what he called important architectural similarities between the two chemistries.

We believe sodium-ion can become a defining chemistry for grid-scale energy storage in the years ahead, Kelty added.

However, Na-ion technology still faces real obstacles before it can challenge lithium's dominance at scale.

The manufacturing ecosystem for Na cells remains far less developed than for Li-ion.

Historically, sodium-ion cells have offered lower energy density than lithium-ion alternatives, requiring larger battery installations to store comparable amounts of energy.

Another challenge involves production capacity, since China currently hosts most sodium-ion battery manufacturing facilities.

GM and Peak Energy are American companies, and efficient Na-ion production
may ultimately depend on Chinese manufacturing capacity a reliance the current political climate may not permit.

At the time of writing, GM has not provided details regarding production timelines, manufacturing scale, or how quickly its partnership with Peak Energy could develop into meaningful competition within the broader energy storage industry. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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