CATL and Changan Launch World's First Mass-Production Sodium-Ion Passenger Vehicle
CATL and Changan have unveiled the first mass-production passenger vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries, set to hit the market by mid-2026.
- 175 Wh/kg
- over 400 km
- nearly 10 billion RMB
What Happened
At an event in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, Changan Automobile and CATL revealed the world's first mass-production passenger vehicle equipped with sodium-ion batteries. The vehicle will be available by mid-2026, with CATL supplying its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries across Changan's brands including AVATR, Deepal, Qiyuan, and UNI.
175 Wh/kgWh/kg
Sets the current benchmark for sodium-ion mass production
over 90%%
At -40°C, with nearly triple discharge power vs LFP at -30°C
“The arrival of sodium-ion technology marks the beginning of a dual-chemistry era. Changan's vision shows both its responsibility for energy security and its strategic foresight.”
Why this matters
Sodium-ion batteries offer a cheaper, safer, and cold-weather resilient alternative to lithium-ion, potentially accelerating EV adoption and reducing reliance on scarce materials.
Terms in This Story
- sodium-ion battery
- A type of rechargeable battery that uses sodium ions as charge carriers, offering a cheaper and more abundant alternative to lithium-ion.
- energy density
- The amount of energy stored in a battery per unit of weight or volume, typically measured in Wh/kg.
- LFP battery
- Lithium iron phosphate battery, a common type of lithium-ion battery known for safety and long life.
- BMS
- Battery Management System, an electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery's charging, discharging, and safety.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.