CATL and Changan Plan First Sodium-Ion EV Launch by 2026

China’s battery and automotive industries are preparing for a major milestone. CATL and Changan Automobile are targeting mid-2026 to introduce the world’s first mass-market passenger EV powered by sodium-ion batteries, a move that could reshape how electric vehicles handle cost, safety, and extreme weather.

A New Battery Chemistry Enters Production

CATL confirmed that its Naxtra sodium-ion battery will make its production debut in the Changan Nevo A06 sedan. The vehicle is expected to deliver approximately 400 kilometers (249 miles) of range under the China Light-Duty Test Cycle.

Following the initial rollout, CATL plans to expand sodium-ion batteries across Changan’s broader lineup, including models from Avatr, Deepal, Qiyuan, and Uni. According to CATL, this marks a strategic shift toward offering multiple battery chemistries tailored to different use cases rather than relying on a single dominant technology.

Why Sodium-Ion Matters for the EV Industry

Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a serious alternative to lithium-based chemistries, particularly lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which currently dominates China’s EV market.

Sodium offers several structural advantages:

• It is far more abundant than lithium

• It is significantly cheaper to source

• It eliminates dependence on geopolitically sensitive lithium supply chains

More importantly, sodium-ion batteries are inherently safer, with studies indicating no risk of thermal runaway—a key concern for lithium-ion packs.

Energy Density and Vehicle Applications

From a performance standpoint, CATL’s Naxtra battery is competitive but not designed to replace high-energy-density chemistries.

The battery delivers 175 watt-hours per kilogram, placing it roughly on par with LFP batteries and below nickel-rich lithium chemistries. This makes sodium-ion best suited for:

• Entry-level and mid-range EVs

• Urban-focused vehicles

• Stationary energy storage systems

To maximize usable range, CATL employs a cell-to-pack architecture, integrating cells directly into the battery pack. This design efficiency enables the Nevo A06 to reach its 400-kilometer range despite lower energy density.

Long-Term Range Improvements on the Roadmap

CATL says sodium-ion technology still has significant headroom for improvement.

As manufacturing scales and the supply chain matures, the company expects:

• Up to 600 kilometers (373 miles) of range in future battery-electric vehicles

• Around 400 kilometers (249 miles) of electric-only range in extended-range EVs and hybrids

According to CATL, these figures would satisfy more than half of the typical range needs in China’s passenger EV market.

Cold-Weather Performance Is the Real Breakthrough

Where sodium-ion batteries truly stand apart is performance in extreme cold.

CATL claims that the Naxtra battery delivers:

• Three times the discharge power of LFP batteries at -30°C (-22°F)

• More than 90% range retention at -40°C (-40°F)

• Stable power output down to -50°C (-58°F)

If validated by independent testing, this would address one of the most persistent EV complaints: severe winter range loss.

Real-World Validation Still Pending

Despite promising specifications, CATL’s claims remain unverified outside the lab. Independent testing and real-world usage will ultimately determine whether sodium-ion batteries live up to their potential.

While the Naxtra battery is not expected to launch in the U.S., its cold-weather advantages could make it particularly attractive in regions with harsh winters, such as northern China, Northern Europe, and parts of Canada.

A Future Defined by Multiple Battery Chemistries

Lithium-ion batteries are not going away. Instead, the EV industry appears to be moving toward a multi-chemistry future, where different battery types coexist based on cost, climate, and driving needs.

Much like internal combustion engines evolved into multiple formats over time, battery diversity may become a defining feature of the next phase of electric mobility—giving consumers more choice and better performance in the conditions that matter most to them.

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