Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker, said it has developed the first sodium-ion battery for electric vehicles to be certified under China’s new national EV safety standard, GB 38031-2025.
The company’s second-generation sodium-ion battery, branded as Naxtra, has achieved an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, allowing EVs to travel more than 300 miles (482 km) per charge, approaching the performance of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells used in mass-market electric cars such as Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y. CATL said the technology offers advantages in cost, safety, and cold-weather performance.
Thanks to the absence of reactive metals, the sodium-ion battery can operate in a wider temperature range without significant capacity loss in freezing conditions. CATL added that the chemistry’s production process is more environmentally friendly, and the company believes sodium-ion cells could be used in as much as 40% of EVs sold in China in the future.
CATL is currently testing the Naxtra battery with customers and plans to begin mass production next year after securing initial orders. The company has not disclosed which automakers will adopt the technology, though CATL supplies nearly all major EV manufacturers.
In addition to vehicle use, CATL’s sodium-ion batteries will be compatible with its 20/25 standardized battery pack concept, designed for use in swap stations. CATL has been expanding its swapping infrastructure independently and through partnerships, including with Chinese EV maker Nio.
Source: CATL
