WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF
A cold-tolerant sodium-ion EV could cut battery cost and fire risk, easing reliance on scarce, pricier lithium.
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As we continue to see companies around the world try to build better modern batteries and new kinds of batteries it turns out that Chinese battery giant CATL and automaker Changan have gone old school and unveiled the world’s first passenger car powered by Sodium-Ion Batteries.
The battery technology, aiming to hit public roads by mid-2026, could significantly reduce fire risks while improving performance in extreme heat and cold.
The debut model is expected to offer a driving range of about 248 miles (400 kilometres) on China’s standard test cycle, according to reports. If successful, the technology is slated for wider adoption across multiple Electric Vehicle (EV) lines, signalling a potential shift away from Lithium-Ion batteries.
In April 2025, the world’s top EV battery maker unveiled its Naxtra sodium-ion battery, with plans to begin mass production this June.
On February 4th, CATL and Changan unveiled what they described as the world’s first mass-produced EV powered by Sodium-Ion batteries, marking a milestone for next-generation energy storage, reports Electrek.
The model presented was the Changan Nevo A06, also known as the Qiyuan A06, which serves as the initial platform for the new battery technology. Beyond this debut vehicle, sodium-ion batteries are set to be integrated across Changan’s wider portfolio.
The supply plan encompasses multiple sub-brands, including Qiyuan, Deepal, Avatr, and Uni, thereby positioning the technology for broader adoption across various vehicle segments.
Following CATL’s debut of its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries last April, the technology has begun to move from concept to deployment. The cells achieve an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, placing them broadly in line with Lithium-Iron Phosphate Batteries and positioning them for practical, near-term use rather than experimental niches, reports InsideEVs.
Recently, the technology entered commercial service with the launch of CATL’s Tianxing II sodium-ion packs for light commercial vehicles, signalling readiness for scaled production. For passenger EVs, the same 45 kWh sodium-ion battery pack will be used, enabling an estimated driving range of around 248 miles (400 kilometers) on China’s standard test cycle (CLTC).
For comparison, the China-market Nevo A06 uses a 63.18 kWh lithium-ion battery with a CLTC range of up to 630 km (397 miles), but its performance declines sharply in extreme cold.
According to CATL, the performance is enabled in part by a cell-to-pack architecture, which integrates cells directly into the battery pack, reducing structural overhead and improving space utilisation. While the chemistry does not match the energy density of nickel-rich lithium batteries, its balance of cost, safety, and durability makes it well-suited for affordable, short to mid range EVs and stationary energy storage.
The strongest advantage of the Naxtra sodium-ion battery lies in its performance under extreme cold conditions, an area where many lithium-based chemistries face significant limitations.
According to performance data, the battery delivers discharge power at –30 degrees Celsius that is three times higher than comparable lithium iron phosphate systems. This allows vehicles to maintain responsiveness and usable power in environments that typically reduce efficiency and drivability, reports CATL.
Cold-weather range loss is also significantly reduced. The battery is reported to retain more than 90 percent of its driving range even at –40 degrees Celsius, avoiding the sharp winter degradation commonly associated with both LFP and Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt Batteries.
The energy output is designed to remain stable down to –50 degrees Celsius, supporting reliable operation in some of the harshest climates on Earth, reports .
Beyond thermal resilience, the technology is expected to advance as materials and cell designs continue to evolve. Future versions are projected to extend driving range to around 310 to 372 miles (500–600 kilometers), expanding suitability beyond short-range applications.
Combined with lower material costs and improved safety characteristics, these cold-weather strengths could make sodium-ion batteries an increasingly attractive option for electric vehicles operating in diverse and demanding environments.
CATL also recently unveiled its new 5C EV battery, which claims 12-minute full charging and over one million miles of lifespan, aiming to ease global concerns about charging time and durability.
What’s the advantage of a sodium-ion EV?
Sodium-ion cells are cheaper and safer than lithium and hold up far better in extreme cold, retaining most of their range at minus 40C, though they still trail lithium on outright energy density.
