The world of electric mobility is on the verge of a fundamental change after CATL — the undisputed leader in battery production — announced the transition of sodium-ion technology from laboratories to mass roads. The Chinese giant confirmed that in the second quarter of 2026 it will begin installing these innovative cells in serial passenger cars. This move marks the end of the era of “lithium dependence“ and promises to make electric vehicles accessible even to regions with harsh climates.
The first model to make history with this technology is the GAC Aion compact hatchback. The choice of this partner is not accidental — The two companies are already working closely together on the Aion UT Super EV project and its Choco-SEB quick-change battery system. The new sodium chemistry, launched under the Naxtra brand, is designed to survive where traditional lithium batteries fail. During final winter tests in Scandinavia, the packs showed stunning resilience, retaining 90% of their capacity in freezing -40°C.
CATL's technical director, Gao Huang, emphasizes that sodium-ion batteries do not simply replace lithium, but solve key logistical problems. Sodium is thousands of times more abundant and many times cheaper to mine, which will allow for a drastic cut in the final prices of cars. Although their energy density currently reaches 175 Wh/kg (a level comparable to mass-produced LFP batteries), CATL is already developing a third generation of the technology, which should bring their performance level up to the best lithium alternatives within the next three years.
After the official start of production in July 2026, CATL plans a large-scale invasion of sodium technology not only in passenger cars, but also in the heavy-duty transport segment and energy storage systems. With a life of over 10,000 cycles and the ability to charge even at -30°C without the need for heating, the new batteries are on their way to transforming the electric vehicle from a luxury toy into a reliable tool for any latitude.