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.
CATL’s sodium-ion batteries will power up passenger EVs
After launching its new Tectrans II series sodium-ion batteries for light commercial vehicles on Thursday, CATL’s chief tech officer, Gao Huan, confirmed that the new battery tech will also be used in passenger vehicles.
During an interview with China Securities Journal (via CnEVPost), Gao said that CATL plans to begin installing its sodium-ion batteries in passenger cars, starting in Q2 2026.
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.
CATL’s 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, the industry’s first for light commercial vehicles, performs surprisingly well in extreme cold temperatures.
According to CATL, the batteries charged at temperatures as low as -30°C (-20°F), and at -40°C (-40°F), it still retained 90% of their usable capacity.
CATL is expected to begin mass-producing sodium-ion batteries in July, including a battery-swapping version. As output picks up, the company will expand into passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, construction, and energy storage.
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.
CATL is currently developing its third-generation sodium battery. The company revealed its first in July 2021. During its Tech Day event last April, CATL unveiled Naxtra, its sodium battery brand.
The company claimed at the time that the new cell achieved an energy density of 175 Wh/kg (385 Wh/lb), on par with the higher end of LFP battery cells.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.