Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) announced that its sodium-ion battery has achieved an energy density of 175 Wh/kg and can support more than 500 kilometres of pure electric driving range. The company said the technology will enter mass supply next year, depending on customer rollout schedules.
CATL explained that sodium-ion batteries have slightly lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries but provide distinct advantages in low-temperature performance, carbon footprint, and safety. These characteristics, the company said, make the technology well-suited to expanding new energy vehicle adoption in cold climate regions and broadening the geographical scope of electric mobility applications.
According to CATL, the sodium-ion battery could cover over 40 per cent of passenger vehicle demand in the domestic market, giving it vast potential for commercialisation. The company added that its sodium battery packs are designed for strong compatibility with No. 20 and No. 25 standard modules, including battery swap formats, enabling use across a broad range of vehicle platforms without requiring significant design changes from automakers.
Development of sodium-ion passenger car batteries with partners is currently progressing smoothly, CATL noted, with supply readiness targeted for next year. The company emphasised that the rollout will be based on customer project timelines.
Earlier this year, on April 21, CATL introduced what it described as the world’s first large-scale mass-produced sodium-ion batteries. The initial products included the “Sodium New Power Battery” for passenger vehicles and the “Sodium New 24V Integrated Starter Battery” for heavy-duty trucks. Both were developed for wide operating environments, capable of functioning at temperatures ranging from- 40°C to 70°C.
On September 5, CATL’s sodium-ion battery passed certification under China’s GB 38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles.” This made it the first sodium-ion battery worldwide to achieve compliance with the new national standard. The certification confirms that the technology meets required safety benchmarks for traction batteries in electric vehicles.
CATL said the milestone demonstrates the readiness of sodium-ion batteries to support large-scale applications while offering an alternative pathway for the industry alongside existing lithium-ion technologies.
Follow us for ev updates
