Electric vehicles (EVs) are about to become more affordable and safer, thanks to a new type of battery. Chinese battery maker CATL plans to start mass-producing its sodium-ion batteries, called Naxtra, by December 2025.
These batteries are designed for both hybrid and fully electric cars. They offer an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram, allowing EVs to travel up to 500 kilometres on a single charge and hybrids to go over 200 kilometres on electric power alone.
Better Performance in Cold Weather
One of the standout features of CATL’s sodium-ion batteries is their performance in cold temperatures. The Naxtra batteries can charge from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes at -30°C. Even with only a 10 per cent charge, a car powered by these batteries can maintain a highway speed of 120 km/h.
CATL’s Chief Technology Officer, Gao Huan, stated that the new sodium-ion battery would enable the industry’s shift from “single resource dependence” to “energy freedom” and reshape the global energy landscape.
Safer and More Affordable
Safety is another key advantage. The Naxtra batteries have passed rigorous tests, including compression, needle puncture, and even battery sawing, without catching fire or exploding. They are also built to last, capable of being charged over 10,000 times, equating to about five million kilometres of driving.
Sodium is more abundant and cheaper than lithium, making these batteries less expensive to produce. CATL’s founder, Robin Zeng, mentioned that sodium-ion batteries have the potential to replace up to 50 per cent of the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery market currently dominated by the company.
With these innovations, CATL aims to make electric vehicles more accessible and practical for drivers worldwide.
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