Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) said its sodium-ion battery has reached an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, supporting a driving range of more than 500 kilometres for electric vehicles, and will enter mass supply next year depending on customer rollout schedules.
The world’s largest EV battery maker said sodium-ion batteries, while offering slightly lower energy density than lithium-ion cells, deliver advantages in low-temperature performance, carbon footprint and safety. These features make them suitable for adoption in cold regions and broaden the geographical reach of electric mobility.
CATL estimates that sodium-ion batteries could meet over 40% of passenger vehicle demand in China, creating significant potential for commercialisation. The company added that its sodium packs are compatible with No. 20 and No. 25 standard modules, including battery swap formats, allowing broad use without major vehicle redesigns.
Development of sodium-ion passenger car batteries with partners is advancing steadily, the company said, with supply readiness targeted for 2026. CATL emphasised that the timing of rollout will depend on automaker project schedules.
In April, CATL unveiled what it described as the world’s first large-scale mass-produced sodium-ion batteries, introducing the “Sodium New Power Battery” for passenger vehicles and the “Sodium New 24V Integrated Starter Battery” for heavy-duty trucks. Both products were designed to operate in environments ranging from -40°C to 70°C.
On Sept. 5, CATL’s sodium-ion battery became the first globally to pass certification under China’s GB 38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles,” confirming compliance with new national standards for EV traction batteries.
CATL said the milestone underlined the readiness of sodium-ion batteries to support large-scale applications while offering an alternative pathway to complement lithium-ion technology in the global EV industry.
Source: ITHome
