CATL Sees 10,000-20,000 EVs Using Sodium-Ion Batteries in 2026

Q: CATL's battery beats the cold, but what is the hidden trade-off for its breakthrough performance?

The main trade-off is lower energy density. CATL’s sodium-ion battery can keep working in extreme cold, but it generally stores less energy per kilogram than top lithium-ion batteries, especially high-end NMC cells. That means an EV using sodium-ion cells typically needs a larger or heavier battery pack to deliver the same range. CATL’s sodium-ion products are reported around 160–175 Wh/kg, which is competitive with some mid-range LFP batteries but still below stronger LFP packs and well below premium lithium-ion chemistries. In practical terms, the cold-weather gain can come at the cost of driving range, vehicle weight, or packaging efficiency. The broader research record supports that trade-off. Sodium-ion chemistry benefits from abundant, cheaper raw materials and can perform better at low temperatures because of favorable ion-transfer behavior at the electrode interface. But researchers and industry data also show weaker low-temperature charging than discharging, and a general energy-density gap versus lithium-ion. Some studies also point to somewhat lower efficiency and shorter cycle life than the best LFP systems, though those metrics vary by design. So CATL’s breakthrough is most valuable where cold resilience, cost and safety matter more than maximum range: affordable city EVs, commercial fleets and stationary storage. For long-range passenger cars, the hidden cost of beating the cold is usually a bulkier, heavier battery for the same usable energy.

1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 24

CATL expects 10,000 to 20,000 electric vehicles to carry its sodium-ion batteries this year, according to Chief Manufacturing Officer Ni Jun.
At the World Economic Forum in Dalian, Ni said the batteries were designed to keep working in extreme cold, with performance down to about -20C to -30C.
That cold-weather capability is central to CATL's pitch for sodium-ion cells, which the company is positioning for use cases where low-temperature reliability matters.

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Bloomberg2h ago

CATL Projects 10,000-20,000 EVs to Use Sodium-Ion Batteries This Year

CATL claims a cold-weather win, but can its new battery solve the critical problem of charging in the freezing cold?

CATL's battery beats the cold, but what is the hidden trade-off for its breakthrough performance?

CATL’s 2026 Sodium-Ion Battery Launch: Market Impact, Performance, and the Future of Affordable EVs

Overview

CATL is leading the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries, marking a pivotal shift for the electric vehicle industry. Through a strategic partnership with CHANGAN, CATL is moving sodium-ion technology from laboratory research to mass-market adoption. This transition introduces a more efficient and sustainable battery option, positioning sodium-ion batteries as a viable mainstream solution for electric mobility. The rollout began with light commercial vehicles and is set to expand into passenger EVs, highlighting CATL’s role in making affordable, high-performance batteries accessible and driving the evolution of the battery market.

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Bloomberg2h ago

CATL Projects 10,000-20,000 EVs to Use Sodium-Ion Batteries This Year

CATL Sees 10,000-20,000 EVs Using Sodium-Ion Batteries in 2026

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CATL’s 2026 Sodium-Ion Battery Launch: Market Impact, Performance, and the Future of Affordable EVs

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