Chinese automaker Changan Automobile and battery giant CATL have jointly unveiled the world’s first mass-production passenger vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries, marking a milestone in electric vehicle technology. The announcement came at a high-profile event in Inner Mongolia, with the vehicle scheduled to enter the market by mid-2026.
Under the strategic partnership, CATL will supply its advanced Naxtra sodium-ion battery systems across multiple Changan brands, including AVATR, Deepal, Qiyuan and UNI. This move signals a shift toward a “dual-chemistry” future in EVs, where both sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries coexist to meet varied consumer needs.
The new sodium-ion battery delivers an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg and offers a pure electric range exceeding 400 km on a single charge, with future enhancements expected to push this figure toward 500–600 km as the technology matures.
One of the key strengths highlighted by the developers is the battery’s cold-weather resilience. The Naxtra pack is reported to retain over 90% of its capacity at –40°C and remains operational down to –50°C, outperforming many conventional lithium iron phosphate batteries under extreme conditions.
Sodium-ion batteries also bring potential cost and supply advantages, as sodium is more abundant and less expensive than lithium, while offering safety improvements and simpler recycling pathways. Industry analysts project strong growth for sodium-ion technology, estimating the market could expand significantly over the next decade.
CATL has invested heavily in sodium-ion research over the past several years, and plans to expand supporting infrastructure — including thousands of battery swap stations — to accelerate the adoption of next-generation electric mobility in China and beyond.
