China-based battery manufacturer CATL has secured what it describes as the largest sodium-ion battery order to date, signing a three-year supply agreement with energy storage systems provider HyperStrong. Under the deal, CATL will deliver 60 GWh of sodium-ion batteries for utility-scale energy storage applications.
The partnership reflects CATL’s claim that it has overcome full-chain technical challenges to mass-produce sodium-ion cells. Since 2016, the company has invested roughly CNY 10 billion in research and development for sodium-ion technology. CATL says advancements include higher energy density and a modular platform design that shares the same footprint as its established lithium-ion cells, helping to lower integration costs.
Sodium-ion batteries exhibit strong performance in extreme temperatures, generate less heat during operation, and offer enhanced safety and stability, according to CATL. The company also highlights that its cells can simplify system architecture and improve overall economic efficiency in long-duration storage projects.
Looking ahead, CATL is developing its sixth-generation sodium-ion battery to address a broader range of use cases. Robin Zeng, CATL’s chairman, has previously projected that sodium-ion technology could capture 30% to 40% of the current battery market over the long term.
Beyond stationary energy storage, CATL is advancing sodium-ion applications in electric vehicles. In February, it and Changan Automobile introduced the world’s first mass-produced passenger car equipped with sodium-ion batteries. Scheduled for a mid-2026 launch, the vehicle will feature CATL’s Naxtra cells, which the company reports can deliver nearly three times the discharge power of a comparable lithium iron phosphate battery under extreme cold conditions.
With the new agreement and ongoing product developments, CATL is positioning itself as a leader in sodium-ion technology across both energy storage and automotive sectors. The company remains the world’s largest electric-vehicle battery supplier, holding a 39.2% global market share for 2025, according to data from SNE Research.
Source: CNEV Post
