China's newest battery runs on salt, and powers vehicles in extreme cold climates

Quick Overview

CATL and Changan Automobile are launching the world's first mass-production sodium-ion battery passenger vehicle, the Changan Nevo A06, by mid-2026, which offers advantages like lower production costs, enhanced safety, superior cold-weather performance, and reliance on abundant sodium instead of expensive and geopolitically constrained lithium.

Key Points: CATL and Changan Automobile are preparing to put the world's first passenger car powered by sodium-ion batteries on public roads by mid-2026. The sodium-ion battery pack is designed to maintain over 90% of its capacity at -40 degrees Fahrenheit, an improvement over LFP batteries which struggle in extreme cold. Sodium-ion batteries are significantly cheaper and far more abundant than lithium, mitigating supply chain constraints and geopolitical risks associated with lithium mining. The CATL Naxtra sodium-ion battery achieves an estimated range of around 400 kilometers (249 miles) on the China Light-Duty Test Cycle (CLTC). CATL began sodium-ion research in 2016, investing nearly 10 billion RMB and utilizing over 500 R&D personnel, including 29 PhDs, to develop the technology. The cells can reach an 80% state of charge in about 15 minutes and operate in temperatures ranging from -40°F to 158°F (-40°C to +70°C). Changan will use CATL's sodium-ion batteries across its entire brand portfolio, including Avatr, Deepal, Qiyuan, and Uni models.

Context: This video from 'Inside China Business' discusses a major technological breakthrough in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector: the deployment of sodium-ion batteries by Chinese giants Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and automaker Changan Automobile. This development challenges the current dominance of lithium-ion batteries, especially in performance under cold weather conditions, by utilizing cheaper and more abundant sodium, addressing critical supply chain vulnerabilities.

Detailed Analysis

The video reports that CATL and Changan Automobile are collaborating to introduce the world's first mass-production passenger car utilizing sodium-ion batteries by mid-2026. This new technology, branded as CATL's Naxtra sodium-ion battery, is presented as a superior alternative to current lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, particularly because it handles extreme cold much better. Consumer Reports data suggests current EV ranges drop significantly in cold weather (25% loss at 16 degrees Fahrenheit), but the sodium-ion pack is expected to maintain over 90% of its capacity at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The initial deployment will be in the Changan Nevo A06 sedan, offering an estimated range of about 400 kilometers (249 miles) on the CLTC cycle, with a rollout across Changan's broader portfolio planned thereafter. The key advantages of sodium-ion technology include significantly lower production costs due to sodium's abundance compared to lithium, enhanced safety (no risk of thermal runaway), and rapid charging—cells can reach 80% charge in about 15 minutes, operating between -40°F and 158°F. CATL has invested heavily since beginning sodium research in 2016, investing 10 billion RMB and employing over 500 R&D personnel, including 29 PhDs, to achieve this milestone. The video concludes that the future of EVs will be defined by multiple battery chemistries coexisting, offering drivers options tailored to their driving habits and climate.