Sodium-ion Battery EV technology is moving from research labs to real roads. Chinese battery maker CATL and automaker Changan have introduced the Changan Nevo A06, the first mass-production electric vehicle to use CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery. The model is scheduled to reach the market in mid-2026. As a result, sodium-ion battery EV development now has a clear commercial milestone.
Sodium-ion battery EV enters mass production
CATL developed the Naxtra cell after nearly a decade of research. The company also invested about 10 billion yuan, or around US$1.4 billion, into the program. Now, that work has led to a production-ready battery for passenger vehicles.
The Naxtra cell delivers an energy density of 175 Wh/kg. CATL says this is the highest level achieved in mass production for sodium-ion chemistry. In the Changan Nevo A06, the battery supports a driving range of more than 400 km, or 249 miles. Moreover, CATL aims to increase future versions to 500 to 600 km, or 310 to 373 miles.
This launch matters because it shows sodium-ion chemistry can support daily electric mobility at scale. In addition, it expands battery options for automakers that want strong performance across a wide range of climates.
Sodium-ion battery EV performance in extreme cold
The biggest strength of this sodium-ion battery EV is its cold-weather performance. CATL says the Naxtra battery delivers nearly three times the discharge power of a comparable lithium iron phosphate battery at -30 °C, or -22 °F. Therefore, drivers in very cold regions could see more reliable output in winter conditions.
At -40 °C, or -40 °F, the battery retains more than 90% of its capacity. It also continues operating at -50 °C, or -58 °F. These figures make the Naxtra battery especially notable for markets where low temperatures often affect EV performance.
Safety also remains a major part of the design. CATL reports that the battery produced no smoke and no flames during crush, puncture, and saw tests. Consequently, the battery offers a strong safety profile alongside cold-weather durability.
Changan Nevo A06 sodium-ion battery EV details
The Changan Nevo A06 is a compact electric sedan. It measures 4,720 mm, or 15.5 ft, in length. Its wheelbase reaches 2,750 mm, or about 9 ft. Changan already sells the model in a Lithium-ion plug-in hybrid version. However, the upcoming sodium-ion battery EV uses a fully electric setup.
Changan plans to launch the sodium-ion Naxtra variant in China in mid-2026. Full technical specifications have not yet been released. Still, the key battery figures already show why this model has drawn global attention.
Because this vehicle pairs a mass-production sodium-ion battery with an established sedan platform, it offers a practical first step for the technology. Furthermore, it gives CATL and Changan a visible way to prove real-world readiness.
Sodium-ion battery EV production scale and CATL roadmap
CATL says it has solved the manufacturing steps needed to scale sodium-ion battery production to the gigawatt-hour level. That scale matches the output expected from a modern lithium battery factory. Therefore, the company is not treating sodium-ion as a niche experiment.
In December 2025, CATL shared a roadmap for 2026. It identified four deployment areas: battery swapping, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage. So far, the company appears to be moving in line with that plan.
CATL started sodium-ion research in 2016. Then, in 2021, it introduced a first-generation sodium-ion cell with an energy density of 160 Wh/kg. By April 2025, the Naxtra line was ready for passenger cars and heavy trucks. Now, the Nevo A06 brings that progress into the consumer EV market.
Sodium-ion battery EV growth and wider market potential
The rise of the sodium-ion battery EV also supports broader energy trends. Sodium is widely available, which makes it attractive for large-scale battery manufacturing. In addition, this chemistry uses aluminum foil instead of copper and avoids cobalt and nickel. That combination can support more efficient material sourcing.
CATL has also introduced a sodium-ion battery for grid-scale energy storage. That unit delivers about 160 Wh/kg, reaches 97% system energy conversion efficiency, and offers more than 15,000 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 80% capacity. It operates in temperatures from -40 °C to 70 °C, or -40 °F to 158 °F.
According to Precedence Research, the global sodium-ion battery market could grow from US$1.39 billion in 2025 to US$7.81 billion by 2035. Therefore, the launch of a sodium-ion battery EV is more than a single vehicle story. It is also a sign that sodium-ion batteries are becoming a serious part of the future energy and transport landscape.
With the Changan Nevo A06 set for launch in mid-2026, CATL has given the market a clear example of how sodium-ion battery EV technology can deliver range, safety, and strong sub-zero performance in a production car.
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