CATL Unveils Next-Gen Sodium-Ion Battery Offering 500-Km Range for Electric Vehicles

CATL’s Next-Gen Sodium-Ion Battery Supports 500-km EV Range

The next generation of EV batteries must deliver higher energy density, faster charging, longer lifespans, superior safety, and greater sustainability through recyclability and the use of abundant raw materials. This evolution raises a critical question can lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the dominant technology for over a decade, continue to meet these advancing requirements

Emerging chemistries such as sodium-ion (Na-ion) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) are rapidly gaining traction as potential alternatives. Unlike lithium, sodium is abundant, inexpensive, and less carbon-intensive to process, thereby easing the strain on limited lithium reserves. In a landmark development, CATL, the world’s largest lithium-ion manufacturer, unveiled the Naxtra sodium-ion battery, capable of delivering over 500 km (310 miles) of pure electric range and enduring 10,000 charge cycles a projected lifespan of up to 3.6 million miles. According to CATL, this breakthrough technology could meet more than 40% of passenger vehicle demand in China’s domestic market.

Sodium-ion batteries also excel in cold climates, maintaining consistent charging speeds even in temperatures between 40°C and 70°C, unlike conventional Li-ion batteries that struggle with performance degradation in extreme weather. However, questions around energy density persist, as sodium’s higher atomic weight makes these batteries bulkier. Still, the Naxtra achieves a remarkable 175 Wh/kg energy density the highest among sodium-ion cells and comparable to LFP retaining 90% power efficiency even at sub-zero temperatures.

Safety remains a cornerstone of CATL’s innovation. Similar to LFP cells, the Naxtra is flame-proof and explosion-resistant, minimizing thermal runaway risks. It is also the first sodium-ion battery to meet China’s new national safety standard (GB 38031-2025) for EV power batteries, confirming that its high-performance capabilities do not compromise safety.

Having already entered production for its second-generation sodium-ion batteries, CATL expects mass manufacturing by 2026. Through its partnership with Li Auto, a leading Chinese smart EV manufacturer, CATL plans to integrate this pioneering technology into future electric models marking a major leap toward a more sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient EV ecosystem.