The new EV battery tech is moving from the lab to the real world. CATL now expects to launch its first sodium-ion batteries in passenger vehicles in the second quarter of 2026. After launching its new Tectrans II series sodium-ion batteries for light commercial vehicles, CATL’s chief tech officer, Gao Huan, confirmed that the new battery tech will also be used in passenger vehicles.
The first vehicle to be equipped with the new batteries will be a GAC Aion model. CATL and GAC Group have strengthened ties over the past few months, including launching the Aion UT Super EV in November, the first mass-market EV with CATL’s Choco-SEB 99-second swap batteries. The Tectrans II batteries have already completed winter testing in light trucks and mid-size vans from JAC Corp.
The 45 kWh sodium-ion battery pack performs surprisingly well in extreme cold temperatures, charged at temperatures as low as -30°C (-20°F), and at -40°C (-40°F), it still retained 90% of its usable capacity. Sodium-ion batteries have the potential to lower costs compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries by using less expensive materials. As Gao pointed out, they also outperform lithium-ion batteries in extreme cold, eliminating the need for additional cooling.
Moving the new batteries from the lab to mass production is a major step toward improving cold-weather battery performance. Although they currently have lower energy densities, CATL aims to have sodium-ion batteries on par with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) within the next three years. The company is currently developing its third-generation sodium battery.
The first in this series was revealed in July 2021, and during its Tech Day event last April, CATL unveiled Naxtra , its sodium battery brand. The new tech has been gaining traction, with the latest development marking a significant step forward for the industry. As we move towards a more sustainable future, innovations like sodium-ion batteries are crucial in reducing our reliance on traditional energy sources.
This is a significant milestone for CATL and the EV industry as a whole, marking a major step towards improving cold-weather battery performance and reducing costs. The development of sodium-ion batteries has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about electric vehicle technology.
