CATL Unveils Groundbreaking Sodium-ion Battery with 90% Power Retention at -40°C, Signaling a Major Shift in Energy Technology

Even at temperatures as low as -40°C, the new sodium-ion battery from CATL maintains 90% of its charge! CATL has made significant strides in battery technology with the launch of its sodium-ion battery brand named “NaXIN“. This innovative product breaks through material performance barriers and marks the first step towards mass production of sodium batteries, effectively reducing the new energy industry’s dependence on lithium resources.

For instance, the NaXIN passenger car battery can retain 90% of its usable power at -40°C. Even when the battery charge drops to 10%, the vehicle’s power output remains largely unaffected in extreme cold conditions. The application of sodium-ion batteries is accelerating in the energy storage and logistics sectors, which will generate new demand for battery production.

Recently, CATL unveiled its second-generation “Super Charging” battery during a technology event themed “Awakening Boundaries“. This battery is the world’s first lithium iron phosphate battery that offers 800 km of ultra-long range and a peak discharge rate of 12C. Additionally, the company introduced the “NaXIN” battery, the world’s first sodium-ion battery designed for large-scale automotive applications.

Compared to lithium batteries, sodium batteries offer several advantages, including abundant resources, lower costs, enhanced safety, and adaptability to extreme temperatures. With CATL’s mass production of the NaXIN battery, the commercialization process for sodium batteries may accelerate. The first product, a 24V integrated battery for heavy-duty trucks, is expected to go into mass production in June 2025 in collaboration with FAW Jiefang. Furthermore, the NaXIN power battery is set to be launched by December 2025, with its debut in a chocolate battery swap vehicle.

CATL’s sodium battery brand, “NaXIN“, pushes the boundaries of material performance and is expected to significantly lessen the dependency on lithium resources in the new energy sector. According to Ouyang Chuying, Co-President of CATL’s R&D system, lithium constitutes only 0.0065% of the earth’s crust, while sodium is present at 2.74%, making sodium resources 421 times more abundant than lithium.

CATL has achieved breakthroughs in sodium battery performance, addressing the limitations of battery usage in extremely cold environments. The new sodium batteries, namely the NaXIN passenger vehicle power battery and the NaXIN 24V heavy-duty truck battery, can operate effectively in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 70°C. The NaXIN passenger car battery boasts an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, making it the highest energy density sodium battery globally, comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries, and supporting rapid charging rates of up to 5C and a range of 500 km with a lifespan exceeding 10,000 cycles.

For heavy-duty applications, the NaXIN 24V integrated battery has a lifespan exceeding 8 years and lowers the total lifecycle cost by 61% compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, ushering in a new era for commercial vehicles with extended battery life. CATL plans to commence mass production of the NaXIN 24V battery in June 2025, in partnership with FAW Jiefang, while the passenger vehicle power battery is slated for December 2025.

Data indicates that CATL is steadily increasing its global market share in power batteries. According to SNE Research, in the first two months of 2025, CATL’s market share reached 38%, with 43% in Europe, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase, outpacing the second largest competitor by 13% percentage points. CATL’s first-quarter report for 2025 shows revenues of 84.705 billion yuan, a 6.18% increase year-on-year, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 13.963 billion yuan, up 32.85%.

Looking ahead, the demand for sodium batteries is expected to grow significantly, particularly in the energy storage and logistics sectors, as battery production ramps up. Currently, sodium-ion battery storage costs remain higher than lithium-ion batteries, with sodium cells priced at over 0.50 yuan per watt-hour compared to lithium’s 0.32 yuan. However, this gap is anticipated to narrow as the applications and production capacity for sodium-ion batteries expand.

Industry experts believe that the sodium battery sector will experience accelerated industrial development, potentially making 2025 a pivotal year for sodium batteries. With ongoing pilot projects and technological advancements, the sodium battery industry is poised for rapid growth, particularly in energy storage applications, which are likely to become the largest market for sodium-ion batteries.

As various battery manufacturers, including BYD, CATL, and Haitian Energy, announce their advancements in sodium batteries, the competitive landscape is heating up. The ongoing demand for innovative energy solutions and supportive government policies further bolster the prospects of sodium-ion batteries, making their future applications highly anticipated.