Sodium-Ion Batteries in the Automotive Industry: Aligning Technological Innovation with ESG Commitments

The rapid electrification of the automotive sector has intensified the need for sustainable and resilient battery technologies, placing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations at the core of industrial transformation. This thesis provides a comparative ESG analysis of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) within the framework of international business and European Union industrial policy, with particular focus on Central European business realities. Using a mixed methodological approach that integrates life-cycle assessment (LCA), stakeholder theory, and the resource-based view (RBV), the study evaluates environmental impacts, social risks, and governance challenges across battery value chains. The findings reveal that while LIBs dominate due to their high energy density and technological maturity, they are associated with significant ESG risks, including resource scarcity, geopolitical concentration, and ethical concerns in raw material sourcing. In contrast, SIBs demonstrate stronger ESG alignment through abundant raw materials, reduced supply chain vulnerabilities, and lower environmental impacts, despite current technological limitations. The study concludes that SIBs hold greater long-term strategic potential for achieving sustainable and competitive battery ecosystems in the context of global energy transition and EU regulatory developments.