Bihar Batteries, a Spanish start-up founded in 2023 in Donostia–San Sebastián, is targeting commercial launch of its sodium-ion batteries in 2026. The company is developing batteries for commercial and industrial applications, leveraging sodium and other raw materials that are both abundant and locally sourced within Europe. This approach aims to enhance supply chain resilience while supporting a more sustainable battery ecosystem.
Bihar’s sodium-ion technology offers several advantages compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The cells are designed to operate safely across a broad temperature window from –20 °C to 60 °C, allow for rapid charging and discharging, and support full 100 % depth of discharge. These characteristics may reduce thermal management requirements and improve overall system efficiency.
The start-up has already produced its first full-scale sodium-ion battery prototype and completed internal tests. “We have successfully tested it internally, and we will proceed to validate it with partner companies at the end of this year,” a company spokesperson said. Validation with industry partners is expected to begin in late 2025.
To advance its cell technology, Bihar Batteries has teamed up with CIC energiGUNE, a prominent Spanish energy storage research institute with more than 13 years of experience in sodium-ion research. Together, they have developed sodium-ion cell prototypes that have demonstrated very promising initial performance metrics, according to the company. Ongoing collaboration will focus on scaling production and optimizing cell chemistry ahead of the planned 2026 commercialization.
By combining locally available materials, robust performance characteristics, and a partner network for validation and scale-up, Bihar Batteries is positioning itself to introduce an alternative energy storage technology that could diversify the battery market and strengthen regional supply chains.
Source: pv magazine
