Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) has introduced its first mass-produced sodium-ion battery pack designed specifically for light commercial vehicles. Unveiled as part of CATL’s Tectrans II series, the new 45 kWh sodium-ion battery targets small vans, micro-trucks and light-duty applications in regions with extreme cold.
Engineered to operate in harsh winter conditions, the sodium-ion pack can be charged at ambient temperatures as low as –30 °C and retains 90% of its usable capacity at –40 °C, according to CATL. This low-temperature performance aims to ensure reliable operation for fleets and swapping stations in frigid climates where conventional lithium-ion batteries may struggle.
The broader Tectrans II lineup includes several variants to address diverse commercial vehicle needs. An ultra-fast cold-climate charging model achieves 20%–80% state of charge in 30 minutes at –15 °C, while a high-temperature rapid-charge version adds 60% range in 18 minutes and delivers up to 5,000 cycles at 45 °C. For operators requiring extended range, CATL offers a long-range battery pack with up to 253 kWh capacity, supporting more than 800 kilometers of driving on a single charge.
Additionally, the series features battery swap-compatible modules in three sizes: 42 kWh, 56 kWh and 81 kWh. These swap blocks are intended to streamline charging infrastructure for logistics providers and commercial fleets, reducing downtime and enabling continuous operation.
CATL highlighted at a December supplier conference in Ningde, Fujian, that sodium-ion and lithium-ion technologies will form a “dual-star” ecosystem. The company anticipates large-scale adoption of sodium-ion batteries across battery swapping services, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and energy storage systems throughout 2026.
Source: CNEV Post
