Iron-sodium EV battery challenges Tesla Megapack, offers 7,000 cycles 20-year-life – IE
Tesla’s Megapack has been a dominant player in stationary energy storage, but a new long-duration system is emerging to challenge its market position.
As a backbone of the renewable energy transition, lithium-ion batteries power EVs and utility-scale storage for grid balancing and emergency backup. While they typically last around four hours, grid planners emphasize the need for diurnal storage systems exceeding 10 hours in the future.
Iron-sodium battery offers new long-duration storage solution
US startup Inlyte has introduced an iron-sodium battery designed for both mid-range (4–10 hours) and long-duration (24+ hours) energy storage. The company recently announced an accelerated manufacturing timeline through a new Memorandum of Understanding with Swiss battery manufacturer HORIEN Salt Battery Solutions, Clean Technica reported.
According to Inlyte, partnering with HORIEN provides access to advanced manufacturing expertise and industry connections, accelerating the deployment of its cost-effective, long-duration battery technology. After proving its technology at a UK pilot plant, Inlyte is preparing to launch “Inlyte Factory 1” in the US, replicating HORIEN’s battery manufacturing system while integrating its iron-sodium technology.
Furthermore, the company highlighted that its energy storage technology not only sustained capacity for over 700 cycles but also demonstrated impressive 90% roundtrip efficiency, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Inlyte also reported that its testing results, spanning over a year, project a battery life of at least 7,000 cycles or 20 years. This performance matches that of traditional sodium nickel chloride batteries, but at a fraction of the cost.
Additionally, Inlyte acquired UK-based Beta Research in 2022, which developed the original sodium metal halide battery and scaled it for commercial use globally. With a 30,000-square-foot pilot production line, Beta Research allows Inlyte to rapidly launch pilot projects once the design is optimized.
Inlyte sets sights on 2027 for US factory opening
Inlyte plans to launch its US factory in 2027, aligning with current federal energy policies. Despite not revealing the factory’s location, the company remains confident in meeting its production timeline.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, Tesla’s China team shipped the first energy storage products, the Megapacks, produced at the Shanghai Megafactory, which began production last month. Tesla announced on Weibo that the first batch of Shanghai-made Megapacks, its ultra-large commercial electrochemical energy storage systems, had set sail.
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Each Megapack can store around 3,900 kWh of electricity, equivalent to the battery capacity of 62 Model 3 rear-wheel drive cars. Tesla stated that the Megapack uses the same technology as its vehicles, highlighting that the company operates not only a car business but also a parallel energy storage business.
The first Chinese customer of the Megapack produced at the Shanghai Megafactory was Shanghai Lingang Economic Development Group, which placed the inaugural order with Tesla at the groundbreaking ceremony last May.
Tesla’s Shanghai Megafactory primarily produces the Megapack, a high-capacity commercial battery that stabilizes the grid and prevents outages, alongside Powerwall and Powerpack for the global market.
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Iron-sodium EV battery challenges Tesla Megapack, offers 7,000 cycles 20-year-life – IE, source
