Changan Launches Sodium-Ion Battery Strategy and 2026 Global Testing Season
Changan Automobile held a release event unveiling its global sodium-ion battery strategy and launching its 2026 Global Testing Season in Yakeshi, China.
- -40°C
- 3 billion CNY (~USD 431 million)
- 20 million km
What Happened
Changan announced its global sodium-ion battery strategy, aiming to deploy sodium-ion battery–equipped vehicles across multiple brands. The batteries demonstrated stable discharge at temperatures below -40°C and passed extreme abuse tests including crushing and penetration without fire or explosion.
“From extreme conditions to everyday driving — Every pursuit of limits at Changan ultimately serves to protect each of our users' everyday journeys.”
2.33 km²
14 test roads, 70+ surfaces, annual test mileage >20 million km (≈500 Earth circumnavigations)
- Southeast Asia: high-humidity durability testing
- European Alps: high-altitude chassis tuning
- Eurasia: winter testing with AVATR 12
- Latin America: Mexico cross-country drive for long-distance reliability
Why this matters
Sodium-ion batteries promise better performance in cold weather and improved safety, while Changan's global testing program aims to validate vehicle reliability across harsh conditions, ensuring everyday driving safety.
Terms in This Story
- Sodium-ion battery
- A rechargeable battery that uses sodium ions instead of lithium, offering advantages in cold weather and inherent safety due to less reactive chemistry.
- SDA Intelligence
- Changan's proactive safety system that uses AI and vehicle stabilization to prevent accidents in extreme driving conditions.
- Proving ground
- A dedicated facility where vehicles undergo rigorous testing on specialized roads to ensure reliability and performance.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.