CATL Naxtra: Sodium-Ion Batteries Take Center Stage
Overview of CATL’s Sodium-Ion Innovation
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), a global leader in battery technology, has made significant strides in sodium-ion batteries. In 2025, CATL unveiled the Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery platform, officially bringing lithium-free energy storage solutions into mass production. The advancements promise groundbreaking applications in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and heavy-duty transportation.
Key Features of CATL Naxtra Sodium-Ion Batteries
CATL’s sodium-ion batteries leverage cutting-edge technology. They provide performance levels comparable to today’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, with notable advantages in safety, cold-weather reliability, and sustainability.
Energy Density and Cycle Life
The Naxtra platform boasts an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, approaching the 185 Wh/kg achieved by LFP batteries. Combined with a cycle life surpassing 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, these batteries are built to last. For heavy-use vehicles such as commercial trucks, this durability provides significant long-term benefits.
Enhanced Charging Speed
A standout attribute of CATL’s Naxtra batteries is their 5C superfast charging capability. Under optimal conditions, they can add up to 520 kilometers of driving range in just five minutes. This rapid charging feature resolves one of EV owners’ key pain points: reducing downtime during charging.
Exceptional Temperature Resilience
Cold-weather performance represents a significant leap forward. Naxtra batteries operate reliably from -40°C to +70°C. Even at extreme temperatures, they maintain functionality:
- At -30°C, they charge from 30% to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes while retaining 93% of usable battery capacity.
- At -40°C, they provide sufficient power for highway-level speeds, even at a 0% state of charge.
This reliability makes sodium-ion batteries ideal for regions with severe winters.
Safety Standards
Under rigorous abuse tests, such as needle penetration and compression, CATL’s sodium-ion cells showed no risk of fire or explosion. This enhanced safety profile boosts consumer confidence and ensures suitability for both personal and commercial vehicles.
Sustainability and Cost Efficiency
Sodium-ion technology achieves sustainability by replacing scarce, expensive elements like lithium, cobalt, and nickel with sodium. Sodium’s abundance and lower cost enable more environmentally friendly energy solutions. Gao Huan, CATL’s Chief Technology Officer for sodium-ion, emphasized this transformative shift, which reduces reliance on mineral-intensive supply chains.
Mass Production Timeline
CATL confirmed mass production following extensive commercial trials. Heavy-duty truck batteries will enter production in June 2025, while sodium-ion batteries for passenger EVs will roll out in December 2025. This timeline positions CATL as the industry’s first to achieve Sodium-ion Battery commercialization at scale.
Applications and Partnerships
The Naxtra portfolio introduces two key products:
- Passenger EV Batteries: Designed for mainstream Electric Vehicles, they deliver a range exceeding 500 km and perform reliably in all climates.
- 24V Truck Integrated Batteries: These batteries cater specifically to the needs of heavy-duty vehicles and aim to support efficient energy use under demanding conditions.
Vehicles from Chery Automobile adopted CATL’s sodium-ion technology as early as 2023. With mass production scaling rapidly, CATL anticipates serving growing global demand through logistical partnerships and expanded capacity.
How CATL Compares with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries
Enhancing competition in the industry, CATL’s sodium-based cells demonstrate similar performance to LFP batteries in several categories while improving cost efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Here’s a comparison:
| Feature | CATL Naxtra Sodium-Ion | Standard LFP |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Density | 175 Wh/kg | ~185 Wh/kg |
| Cycle Life | 10,000+ cycles | 2,000–4,000 cycles |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +70°C | -20°C to +60°C |
| Safety | Superior (no fire/explosion in abuse tests) | Good (but some risk under abuse) |
| Raw Material Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Charging Speed | 5C superfast | 1–3C typical |
| Environmental Impact | Lower (no lithium/cobalt/nickel) | Moderate |
The Future of Sodium-Ion Batteries
CATL’s advancements in the Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery platform present promising developments for global energy storage. By addressing safety, cost, and environmental sustainability, CATL is set to lead the transition to sodium-based systems for Electric Vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. With mass production slated for 2025, sodium-ion batteries will likely play a major role in shaping clean energy transportation solutions worldwide.
Final Thoughts
As EV adoption grows, CATL’s Naxtra technology bridges innovation and sustainability. From resilient cold-weather capability to fast charging speeds, sodium-ion batteries offer exciting potential for both consumers and businesses. CATL‘s leadership pushes the clean energy sector forward to match ambitious global decarbonization goals.
Disclaimer:
The content presented on this page has not been manually verified by our team. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the validity, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Always consult with appropriate professionals or sources before making any decisions based on this content.
The image is randomly selected and doesn’t necessarily represent the company or the news above.
