China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) which is the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer — has started mass production of its sodium-ion batteries.
The company’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery line officially entered full-scale production in December 2025, marking the first large-scale commercial rollout of sodium-based energy storage technology.
A Milestone for the Battery Industry
CATL initially started limited production of 24V sodium batteries for heavy-duty trucks and industrial vehicles, but the organization is now planning to expand production to electric vehicles (EVs) in 2026. This milestone follows the unveiling of CATL’s second-generation Naxtra sodium-ion battery in April 2025, which promises
- Better performance
- Affordability
- Sustainability compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries
Key Advantages of the Naxtra Battery
The new Naxtra sodium-ion batteries come with a national standard certification in China and are being hailed as a potential game-changer for the EV sector.
They offer faster charging speeds, enhanced performance in low temperatures, and significantly lower production costs — all critical factors for scaling up electric mobility in colder regions and emerging markets.
Moreover, sodium is abundant and inexpensive, unlike lithium, which is becoming increasingly scarce and costly. This makes sodium-ion batteries a more environmentally sustainable and geopolitically stable alternative, as sodium can be easily sourced without depending on rare minerals.
Broader Applications and Hybrid Technology
Beyond passenger EVs, CATL’s sodium technology is also being developed for
- Heavy-duty trucks
- Energy storage systems
- Industrial applications
To further maximize efficiency, the company has created an innovative “AB Battery System”, which integrates sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells within the same pack — combining sodium’s affordability and cold-weather performance with lithium’s higher energy density.
Industry analysts consider CATL’s move as a turning point in the global transition to next-generation energy storage. If the company successfully scales its EV battery production in 2026, sodium-ion technology could dramatically reduce the cost of electric vehicles, making them more accessible worldwide and accelerating the shift toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation.