- CATL revealed the world’s first mass-produced sodium-ion batteries in China ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show.
- The low-voltage and high-voltage sodium-ion batteries deliver exceptional cold-weather performance in terms of range, charging speeds and power output.
- They aren’t as energy-dense as lithium-ion batteries but still have several crucial advantages.
The battery world wasn’t bullish about sodium-ion EV batteries until top Chinese battery companies went all in on the tech. Why bother with a new chemistry when lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) are already powering millions of EVs, are constantly improving, and are widely available?
On Monday, the world’s largest lithium-ion battery maker unveiled a new brand called Naxtra, dedicated to producing both low- and high-voltage sodium-ion batteries. These will power everything from light-duty EVs to commercial trucks in China. And CATL isn’t making modest claims. It says its sodium-ion batteries will charge at near full speeds in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s cold enough to where Fahrenheit and Celsius are the same number.
According to the American Physics Society, sodium is 1,000 times more abundant than lithium and its environmental impact is far lower. Until now, it’s lagged behind in energy density, and lithium still enjoys a head start thanks to a mature extraction and supply chain. Still, different chemistries suit different use cases and sodium-ion may be a good fit for compact EVs, hybrids and extreme cold. Due to its inherent temperature-resistant properties, the ions move freely even in Arctic temperatures.
Photo by: CATL
CATL Sodium Ion EV Battery Torture Test
CATL’s high-voltage sodium-ion battery gets an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram. That’s below the 200–300 Wh/kg range typical of lithium-ion batteries, but it’s enough to deliver 124 miles (200 km) of electric range in a PHEV and up to 310 miles (500 km) in a pure EV. Those estimates come from China’s testing cycle, which is usually pretty generous with range. But those are decent numbers for city cars and micro-EVs gaining popularity around the world.
Plus, CATL’s sodium-ion EV battery can charge from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes even in -22F (-30C) temps, while maintaining 93% usable capacity. Typical EV batteries have reduced voltage at a lower state of charge, but CATL claims its battery can maintain driving speeds of 75 miles per hour even if 0% charge shows on the dash. That is, until the battery completely drains out.
The company claims to have made huge strides in safety. It showcased different torture tests of a 62 kilowatt-hour pack in a testing chamber. In one clip, a giant press tried to crush the battery from different directions. The pack obviously deformed but it did not explode. It also endured a nail penetration test, a drill test and a metal saw test that ripped through the middle of the pack—all without going up in flames.
That’s just the high-voltage battery. There’s also a low-voltage pack for trucks that makes lead-acid batteries feel ancient. It revealed a 24-volt sodium-ion auxiliary battery for trucks which also has similar cold weather properties as the high-voltage pack. “Say goodbye to the frustration of jump-starting your car after long-term storage with lead-acid batteries,” the company said during the reveal.
Photo by: CATL
CATL Sodium-Ion Low Voltage Battery
The low-voltage battery is claimed to work flawlessly even at -40 degrees and also allows vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, where drivers can use the small pack to power external appliances. If they want to make a hot cup of coffee while pulled over along a highway in Northern China when it’s freezing outside, they can do that using a power outlet in the truck—and then drive away without worrying whether the vehicle will restart.
None of this is theoretical. These are not conceptual batteries. CATL said mass production of the high-voltage packs for EVs and PHEVs begins in June. And it will start making the low-voltage pack in December.
Have a tip? Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com
