China’s CATL Unveils Sodium-Ion Brand ‘Naxtra’ and Upgraded Fast-Charging Battery

Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) on Monday launched Naxtra, a new brand for its sodium-ion battery line, with mass production scheduled to begin in December. The company also introduced an upgraded version of its fast-charging Shenxing battery for electric vehicles.

CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, was the first major automotive battery manufacturer to commercialize sodium-ion battery technology in 2021. Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium, a more abundant and lower-cost material. Experts say the chemistry offers advantages in cost and safety, particularly in reducing fire risks in electric vehicles.

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The first battery to be produced under the Naxtra brand will have an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram, close to that of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used in EVs and energy storage systems. “Sodium-ion batteries may have a cost advantage over lithium-ion batteries as the technology and supply chain develop,” said Ouyang Chuying, co-president for R&D at CATL.

CATL also launched the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging battery, which the company says delivers a 520 km driving range on a five-minute charge and reaches 80% charge from 0% in 15 minutes, even in cold conditions. “More than 67 new electric vehicle models will be powered by the Shenxing battery this year,” said Gao Huan, CATL’s Chief Technology Officer, at an event in Shanghai.

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Additionally, CATL introduced a new safety feature likened to a two-engine system in passenger jets, designed to enhance battery system reliability by pairing battery packs together.

The company’s founder Robin Zeng previously stated that sodium-ion batteries could replace up to half the market currently dominated by LFP batteries.

Despite technological advancements, CATL reported a 15% rise in net profit for the first quarter of 2024 — its slowest growth rate in six years — as aggressive price competition in China’s EV sector continued to squeeze margins.

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According to Gao, more than 18.32 million vehicles equipped with CATL batteries are now operating across 66 countries worldwide.