Lithium-ion batteries power much of the modern world, with their importance in daily life steadily increasing to the point where they now provide energy for nearly 70% of all rechargeable devices. From electric vehicles to smartphones and utility-scale energy storage, lithium-ion batteries have become the backbone of countless industries.

Yet despite their dominance, the industry faces serious supply chain challenges that make lithium a less-than-ideal foundation for the future. Lithium extraction is often environmentally destructive, while global supply chains are deeply tied to geopolitical flashpoints. China controls a significant portion of the worlds lithium supply, leaving markets exposed to shocks and Beijings political will. This dominance is especially evident in electric vehicle batteries, the result of a decade-long Chinese strategy to outpace global competitors.

EE Times reported: China has carefully engineered a strategic rise in the global EV battery market over more than a decade, resulting in a dominance that now poses a massive challenge to Western manufacturers. The publication added that this influence acts as a moat shielding Chinas battery industry from international competition.

Given these drawbacks, EV makers are ramping up research into alternative battery technologies. A wide range of options are in development, including lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, sodium-nickel chloride, lithium-metal polymer, sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and solid-state batteries.

Among these, solid-state batteries are seen as the strongest contender. They use a solid electrolyte between the cathode and anode. While they do not completely eliminate lithium, they could reduce dependence on graphiteanother strategic mineral largely controlled by China. Solid-state technology is also viewed as safer, offering higher energy density and faster charging than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Though still in development, automakers have begun real-world testing. Mercedes and BMW are trialing solid-state batteries on public roads, though mass commercialization is still years away. Subaru is preparing vehicle tests of its own, while already deploying smaller versions of the technology to power factory robots.

Some experts, however, argue the hype may be overblown. Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe said on the Plugged-In Podcast: I think theres a lot of noise about solid-state batteries being commercially ready, and its probably overstated.

Sodium-ion batteries are another promising candidate. Sodium is a thousand times more abundant than lithium. James Quinn, CEO of UK-based Faradion, explained: Its available worldwide, which means its cheaper to source and far less water-intensive to extract. He noted that producing one ton of lithium requires 682 times more water than one ton of sodium. Bloomberg projects sodium-ion batteries could displace as much as 272,000 tons of lithium demand by 2035.

Even so, lithium is unlikely to disappear. Thanks to its high energy density and strong performance in cold weather, the metal remains vital for high-performance applications. As EV World put it: The future wont belong to lithium or sodium alonebut to both, strategically deployed across sectors. The result will be a more diverse and resilient battery economy.