CATL began developing sodium-ion battery technology a decade ago and introduced its first-generation sodium-ion battery in 2021.
Chinese battery technology OEM CATL and CHANGAN Automobile have launched the world’s first mass-produced passenger vehicle powered by a sodium-ion battery.
The new vehicle is scheduled to hit the market in mid-2026. CATL will supply its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries, which became the first to pass China's national standard certification (GB 38031-2025) in September, for use across CHANGAN’s entire brand lineup.
Sodium-ion batteries enable faster ion transfer between the cathode and anode compared to other electrochemical battery technologies, including lithium-ion. CATL, the world’s largest lithium-ion OEM, highlighted that the introduction of mass-produced sodium-ion vehicles marks progress toward a ‘dual-chemistry ecosystem’ where both battery types work together.
CATL’s first-generation sodium-ion battery, revealed in 2021, can reach 80% state of charge in 15 minutes at room temperature.
The Naxtra battery stands out for its ability to maintain fast-charging performance across a wide temperature range, from -40°C to 70°C.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries often experience slower charging speeds in cold weather, requiring pre-conditioning or accepting reduced charging rates.
The Naxtra battery’s capability to support rapid charging even in extreme cold could address a key challenge for EV charging infrastructure in colder regions, where winter charging sessions are typically longer.
With an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, the Naxtra battery matches the current benchmark for mass production and is comparable to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
LFP batteries are known for their longer lifecycles, making them well-suited for battery swapping, as demonstrated by CATL's Choco-Swap service network for passenger vehicles. The Naxtra battery is also compatible with this swapping network.
CATL aims to deploy more than 3,000 Choco-Swap battery swap stations across 140 cities in China by 2026, including over 600 stations in colder northern regions.
Li Auto, a Chinese company specializing in premium smart EVs, will also integrate CATL’s sodium-ion batteries into future EV models as part of a strategic partnership between the two companies.
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