- CATL and Changan jointly unveiled a passenger vehicle model equipped with sodium-ion batteries, expected to launch in mid-2026.
- EV models featuring Naxtra sodium-ion batteries offer up to 400 kilometers of pure electric range, with future models potentially reaching 600 kilometers.
CATL (HKG: 3750, SHE: 300750) has begun deploying its sodium-ion batteries in production-ready passenger vehicles as the Chinese battery giant seeks to establish leadership in this emerging technology, following its dominance in lithium-ion batteries.
CATL and Changan Automobile (SHE: 000625) jointly unveiled a sodium-ion battery-powered vehicle on Thursday in Yakshi, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, with plans for a mid-2026 market launch.
The battery giant said this is the world's first mass-produced passenger vehicle with sodium-ion batteries. While a few Chinese automakers announced sodium-ion passenger vehicles several years ago, none have achieved large-scale production.
As Changan's exclusive sodium-ion battery strategic partner, CATL will supply its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries to all Changan brands, including Avatr, Deepal, Qiyuan, and UNI.
"The arrival of sodium-ion technology marks the beginning of a dual-chemistry era," said Gao Huan, CTO of CATL's China E-car business.
Launched in April 2025, the Naxtra sodium-ion battery boasts an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, comparable to mainstream lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
EV models equipped with a 45-kWh pack achieve up to 400 kilometers of pure electric range. CATL said that as the sodium-ion battery supply chain advances, pure electric vehicle range is projected to reach 500-600 kilometers.
For extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), models equipped with Naxtra sodium-ion batteries are projected to achieve 300-400 km of pure electric range.
The primary advantages of sodium-ion batteries lie in superior low-temperature performance and potentially lower long-term costs due to more readily available raw materials.
Even in extreme cold conditions, sodium-ion batteries can operate reliably, CATL said.
At -30°C, their discharge power is nearly triple that of equivalent-capacity LFP batteries; at -40°C, their capacity retention remains above 90%, according to the company. Power output also remains stable at temperatures as low as -50°C.
Naxtra sodium-ion batteries also demonstrate high safety, passing tested under tough conditions including crushing, drilling, and sawing without smoke or fire while maintaining continuous power supply, CATL said.
CATL anticipates 2026 will be a pivotal year for sodium-ion battery technology adoption across more vehicles and broader markets.
To support this ecosystem expansion, CATL's sodium-ion batteries are designed for deep compatibility with multiple automotive brands, balancing flexible integration with performance enhancements.
In the meantime, CATL plans to establish over 3,000 Choco-Swap battery swap stations across 140 Chinese cities by 2026, with more than 600 located in colder northern regions.
CATL did not specify how many of these battery swap stations will be equipped with sodium-ion batteries.
CATL initiated sodium-ion battery R&D in 2016, investing nearly RMB 10 billion ($1.44 billion) to develop nearly 300,000 test cells.
Its sodium-ion battery R&D team comprises over 300 researchers, including 20 PhDs.
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