The auto industry's latest obsession isn't just electric vehicles; it's batteries. From Tesla to Ford and now General Motors (GM), every manufacturer seems to be vying for a piece of the rapidly expanding energy storage market.

While EV sales have hit a plateau, stationary battery installations are booming. The Solar Energy Industries Association predicts that annual installations will double by 2030, driven by data centers and widespread electrification trends. GM's new sodium-ion batteries aim to tap into this growth, offering cheaper and more resilient alternatives.

GM’s approach is cautious. Its first sodium-ion cells won't hit the market until later in the decade, prioritizing material abundance and supply-chain resilience over quick profits. Meanwhile, Tesla continues to dominate with its Megapacks and Powerwalls, raking in a 30% gross profit from energy storage compared to just over 11% for GM's automaker peers.

Despite the potential, GM is not rushing into this market. It’s developing an entirely new lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry that could disrupt EVs by cutting costs and improving range. Sodium-ion batteries may also offer a cheaper alternative, but their future in electric vehicles remains unclear.