CATL Naxtra sodium-ion batteries are now in passenger cars, offering high safety, 175 Wh/kg density, 500 km range, and excellent performance in extreme cold. Learn about trials with Changan, GAC, and JAC models.
© B. Naumkin
CATL is expanding the application of its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries, initially tested in commercial transport, to passenger vehicles. The first trials will involve Oshan models from Changan, with GAC and JAC vehicles joining the program later. The focus is on winter testing, as sodium-ion batteries demonstrate stable performance even in extreme cold, where traditional lithium-ion batteries often lose efficiency.
CATL Naxtra batteries offer a high degree of safety: they are not prone to fire or explosion when punctured with a needle, drilled, extruded, or sawn. On paper, their specifications are impressive: an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, a hybrid range exceeding 200 km and up to 500 km on pure electric power. They support ultra-fast 5C charging, with a lifespan reaching 10,000 charging cycles.
Beyond safety, the batteries perform excellently in freezing conditions. At -30°C, they can charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes, retaining 93% of their usable capacity. Even with a 10% charge level, the vehicle can maintain a speed of 120 km/h on the highway. These results have been confirmed by independent tests from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) and certification under China's new national standard, which includes requirements for heat dissipation, impact resistance, and durability during fast charging.
In addition to operational benefits, sodium-ion batteries help reduce dependence on lithium, lower costs, and enhance the environmental friendliness of electric vehicles. CATL anticipates that successful tests in passenger cars will accelerate the adoption of this technology and open new possibilities for winter operation of electric vehicles.