Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, announced two groundbreaking advancements in battery technology on Monday. The company introduced a new sodium-ion battery brand and a second-generation fast-charging lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, designed to add 300 miles of driving range in just five minutes.
CATL’s new sodium-ion battery brand, named Naxtra, is set to begin mass production in December. The Naxtra battery achieves an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, closely approaching the performance of conventional LFP batteries while offering significant cost advantages and enhanced safety features. The company demonstrated its safety benefits by conducting stress tests, where the cells were drilled into and sliced open without causing any thermal events—underscoring its safety advantages over traditional lithium-ion technologies.
“Sodium is cheap and abundant,” said Ouyang Chuying, co-president for R&D at CATL. “As the technology and supply chain develop, sodium-ion batteries may have a cost advantage over lithium-ion batteries.”
CATL’s founder, Robin Zeng, previously stated that sodium-ion technology could replace up to half of the LFP battery market, where CATL currently holds a dominant global share.
Alongside Naxtra, CATL also unveiled the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging LFP battery. The upgraded version enables vehicles to achieve a 520 km (323 miles) driving range with just a five-minute charge. The battery can reach 80% charge in 15 minutes, even in cold weather conditions, further enhancing the convenience of fast-charging EVs.
Related topics：
- China to Enforce New, Tougher EV Battery Safety Rules by July 2026
- Global EV Charging Infrastructure Market Poised for Rapid Growth by 2034
- Altilium Breaks Ground on UK’s First Large-Scale EV Battery Recycling Plant
