Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) plans to begin installing sodium-ion battery packs in passenger cars in the second quarter of 2026, according to Gao Huan, the company’s chief technology officer. The first model to feature the new chemistry will come from GAC Aion as CATL seeks to expand sodium-ion applications across passenger vehicles, light commercial trucks, energy storage systems and construction machinery.
CATL recently launched its Tectrans II series for light commercial vehicles, which includes a 45-kilowatt-hour sodium-ion pack. This pack has completed winter testing in Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group’s (JAC) light trucks and mid-size vans, demonstrating chargeability at –30°C and retention of 90% usable capacity at –40°C. Mass production of the pack is scheduled to begin in July, with both plug-in and battery-swap options available.
Gao highlighted the importance of scaling production capacity to drive down costs and broaden adoption. He noted that sodium-ion cells excel in high-power discharge, producing minimal heat rise even at a 5C charging rate, which simplifies thermal management and eliminates the need for complex cooling systems. He also pointed out that moving the technology from laboratory prototypes to mass production represents a significant milestone in addressing low-temperature performance challenges.
CATL aims to achieve energy densities comparable to current lithium iron phosphate batteries within three years while reducing overall costs. The company is already working on a third-generation sodium-ion design. CATL introduced its first-generation sodium-ion battery in July 2021 and launched the Naxtra brand in April 2025, with Naxtra cells reaching up to 175 Wh/kg in passenger-vehicle applications.
Beyond CATL, several Chinese startups, including Hina Battery, are developing their own sodium-ion products, signaling growing industry interest in alternatives to traditional lithium-based energy storage.
Source: China EV Post
