Chinese battery giant CATL launched on Monday a new sodium-ion battery it says will restructure the electric car industry, and a new system to combine two battery technologies into one car.
The company manufactures over one-third of all electric vehicle (EV) batteries sold globally, collaborating with prominent manufacturers such as Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen.
Sodium-ion batteries are viewed as a cheaper and in some respects safer alternative to the lithium-ion batteries which are widely used in both electronics and electric vehicles but pose a fire risk if damaged.
“By the close of this year, we aim to attain large-scale production, which will reshape the entire sector,” stated CATL’s Chief Marketing Officer Luo Jian at a press briefing held in Shanghai on Monday.
The production of sodium-ion batteries is set to commence in June, initially focusing on small starter batteries for trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles under the Naxtra label. These innovative batteries are anticipated to provide significant benefits when starting engines in chilly conditions.
Production of large batteries for electric and hybrid cars are due to follow in December of this year.
The sodium-ion batteries have “emerged from the labs and are now ready for commercial scale production”, CATL CEO Robin Zeng told the news conference.
Zeng mentioned that he believes sodium-ion batteries will take over half of the market share currently held by lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.
Although sodium-ion technology has existed for many years, it has trailed lithium-ion batteries in terms of performance. However, increased attention towards this tech has enabled the production of sodium-ion batteries without relying on expensive metallic elements.
CATL’s Naxtra batteries offer an expected driving distance of 500 kilometers (310 miles) for electric vehicles.
Just a few hours ahead of the Monday opening of the Shanghai Motor Show, CATL unveiled its second-generation Shenxing battery. This new technology will reportedly equip 67 vehicles from Chinese manufacturers such as Zeekr, Nio, and Avatr later this year.
The fast-charging battery boasts an 800-kilometre driving range, and a 520-kilometre range regained in just five minutes of charging time — more than its Chinese rival BYD.
CATL relies on the advancement of battery swap systems, similar to those provided by its collaborator Nio, to spread its innovative technologies.
However, the substantial tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump against China have the potential to raise the cost of components and vehicles.
The CATL officials chose not to comment on the tariffs.
The U.S. Defense Department has added CATL to a list of entities they allege have ties to the Chinese military, which CATL refutes.
At the Shanghai Motor Show, the company unveiled their innovative dual-battery system designed specifically for electric vehicles.
Gao Huan, the technical director at the company, stated that this dual-system approach will enhance overall safety, especially for autonomous vehicles, as it ensures reliability even if one of the two battery systems fails.
A production date for the dual batteries, which have been in development for five years, has yet to be announced. But one car manufacturer is already using the dual system in its design of an autonomous car, Gao said.
