In this week's What We're Watching video series, Undecided With Matt Ferrell breaks down CATL's stunning claim that its new sodium-based batteries could cost as little as $10 per kilowatt hour. The video explores why the world's largest lithium battery manufacturer is investing heavily in what has long been considered a lower-tier technology—and what this pivot could signal for industrial operations, long-duration storage, electrification strategies, and the broader supply chain. Ferrell analyzes the technology's potential, the gaps in CATL's public explanations, and whether this breakthrough could truly reshape energy storage economics for manufacturers.
Laura Davis is the editor in chief of New Equipment Digest (NED), a brand part of the Manufacturing Group at EndeavorB2B. NED covers all products, equipment, solutions, and technology related to the broad scope of manufacturing, from mops and buckets to robots and automation. Laura has been a manufacturing product writer for eight years, knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the industry, along with what readers are looking for when wanting to learn about the latest products on the market.