Chinese automaker CHANGAN Automobile, in partnership with battery giant CATL, has unveiled the world’s first mass-production passenger vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of electric vehicle battery technology. The vehicle is expected to enter the market by mid-2026.
As CHANGAN’s exclusive strategic partner for sodium-ion batteries, CATL will supply its advanced Naxtra sodium-ion battery systems across CHANGAN’s brand portfolio, including AVATR, Deepal, Qiyuan, and UNI. The collaboration signals the beginning of a dual-chemistry era, where sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries will coexist to meet diverse consumer needs.
CATL said its Naxtra sodium-ion battery delivers an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg and supports a pure electric range of more than 400 km, with future models projected to reach 500–600 km as the technology matures. The battery demonstrates exceptional cold-weather performance, retaining over 90% capacity at –40°C and operating reliably down to –50°C, outperforming conventional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in extreme conditions.
Sodium-ion technology offers advantages such as abundant raw materials, improved safety, faster charging potential, and environmentally friendly production and recycling processes. Analysts estimate the global sodium-ion battery market could grow from USD 1.39 billion in 2025 to USD 6.83 billion by 2034, highlighting strong long-term growth prospects.
CATL has invested nearly RMB 10 billion in sodium-ion research since 2016, developing hundreds of thousands of test cells and building a large R&D team to commercialize the technology. The company also plans to deploy over 3,000 battery swap stations across 140 cities in China by 2026, expanding infrastructure for next-generation electric mobility.
The launch underscores CATL and CHANGAN’s ambition to accelerate global electrification by transforming sodium-ion batteries from laboratory innovation into a mainstream solution for passenger vehicles.
