Chinese battery giant CATL is expanding its sodium-ion battery technology, branded as Naxtra, from commercial vehicles into the passenger car market. The company is launching a public winter testing program featuring vehicles from manufacturers like Changan Oshan, GAC, and JAC. These advanced batteries are specifically engineered to maintain performance in extreme conditions, operating reliably at temperatures as low as -30°C. As CATL aims for energy density parity with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells within three years, sodium-ion technology is positioned to become a cost-effective, safer alternative for the global electric vehicle industry.
CATL is officially transitioning its Naxtra sodium-ion platform to passenger models following a successful initial rollout in the commercial sector. This move signals a significant shift in the company’s strategy to diversify battery chemistries beyond traditional lithium-ion. The upcoming testing phase will involve real-world winter evaluations, with Changan Oshan models leading the pilot, followed by passenger vehicles from GAC and JAC.
A primary advantage of the Naxtra technology is its resilience in harsh climates. CATL recently introduced 45 kWh packs designed for light commercial vehicles that support plug-and-charge capabilities and maintain full-load climbing performance even at -30°C. This thermal stability addresses one of the most persistent hurdles for electric mobility: the significant range loss and performance degradation typically seen in sub-zero environments.
Since unveiling its first-generation sodium-ion battery in 2021, CATL has steadily integrated the technology into its long-term portfolio. By 2026, the company plans to scale these batteries across four key sectors: battery swapping, passenger vehicles, commercial transport, and energy storage. While lithium-ion remains the dominant force in the Chinese market—reaching a cumulative capacity of nearly 770 GWh in 2025—sodium-ion is being groomed as a high-growth successor for specific use cases.
Technological advancements are expected to accelerate, with CATL’s leadership predicting that sodium-ion energy density will match LFP standards within the next three years. Beyond performance, the technology offers superior safety profiles, showing no risk of fire or explosion during rigorous testing. From a financial perspective, analysts suggest that as production capacity reaches 100 GWh, sodium batteries could become 30% cheaper than LFP cells, with global shipments projected to exceed 200 GWh by 2030.