CATL announced the launch of its sodium-ion battery brand Naxtra and plans to begin mass production in December.
CATL became the first major automotive battery manufacturer to commercialize sodium-ion batteries in 2021. Unlike other battery materials, sodium is inexpensive and abundant. Experts believe sodium-ion batteries have chemical properties that can reduce the fire risk in electric vehicles (EVs).
The newly produced Naxtra brand sodium-ion battery boasts an energy density of 175 Wh per kilogram, nearly equivalent to the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries currently used in many electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.
A representative from CATL’s research and development center projected that as technology advances and supply chains optimize, sodium-ion batteries will achieve price competitiveness compared to LFP batteries.
CATL predicts that as much as half of the LFP battery market, where it currently holds a dominant position, could eventually shift to sodium-ion batteries. Alongside Naxtra, the company also introduced its second-generation LFP battery, which supports ultra-fast charging. This battery can power a vehicle for 520 kilometers (323 miles) with just a 5-minute charge and recharge from 0% to 80% in only 15 minutes, even in extreme cold conditions.
CATL’s batteries power over 18.32 million electric vehicles across more than 66 countries.
