CHANGAN and CATL Present First Mass-Produced Sodium-Ion EV

CHANGAN and CATL have presented a mass-produced sodium-ion EV, targeting mid-2026 market launch with CATL’s Naxtra battery and up to 175 Wh/kg.

CHANGAN Automobile and CATL have announced the launch of what they describe as the world’s first mass-produced passenger electric vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries. The unveiling took place during the “CHANGAN SDA Intelligence Milestone Release & Sodium-Ion Battery Global Strategy Launch” event, with the vehicle expected to reach the market by mid-2026.

At the center of the project is CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery, which the company positions as a major step toward bringing sodium-ion chemistry into mainstream automotive production. CATL states that the battery delivers an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, one of the highest levels currently claimed for sodium-ion cells ready for large-scale manufacturing. Combined with CATL’s Cell-to-Pack architecture and an intelligent battery management system, the technology is expected to support an electric driving range exceeding 400 kilometers, with future development targeting up to 500 kilometers.

CHANGAN has framed the initiative as part of a strategic partnership with CATL, which will serve as its exclusive supplier of sodium-ion batteries. Beyond the first vehicle, the automaker plans to expand the technology across its broader brand portfolio, including AVATR, Deepal, Qiyuan, and UNI.

The announcement highlights sodium-ion batteries as more than a niche experiment. One of the chemistry’s key attractions is its potential to reduce dependence on raw materials that are more constrained or expensive in the lithium-ion supply chain. CATL describes sodium-ion technology as an important pillar for long-term energy security and suggests the industry is moving toward a dual-chemistry future, where sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries coexist and serve different market needs.

Cold-weather performance is also positioned as a major advantage. CATL points to strong low-temperature stability and emphasizes results from extreme safety testing, including mechanical stress scenarios. The company suggests that a combination of safety and resilience in harsh climates could make sodium-ion technology particularly relevant for colder regions.

Market projections reflect growing interest in the segment. According to Precedence Research, the global sodium-ion battery market could expand from USD 1.39 billion in 2025 to USD 6.83 billion by 2034, with 2026 expected to become a pivotal year for broader vehicle adoption.

Alongside battery development, CATL is also expanding infrastructure initiatives. The company plans to grow its Choco-Swap battery swap network and aims to deploy more than 3,000 swap stations across 140 Chinese cities by 2026.

As automakers face increasing pressure to secure supply chains and lower EV costs, the move toward mass-produced sodium-ion vehicles signals a new phase in battery innovation. If the technology delivers on its stated performance in real-world use, it could become one of the most significant shifts in mainstream electric mobility in the second half of the decade.