CATL launches Naxtra – new sodium-ion battery brand

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has launched a new brand for its sodium-ion batteries – Naxtra – as well as a second generation of its fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) battery, Reuters reports. The first Naxtra battery will go into mass production in December. The sodium-ion unit will have an energy density of 175 Wh per kg, almost equalling that of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries may have a cost advantage over lithium-ion batteries as the technology and supply chain develop, CATL R&D co-president Ouyang Chuying said, while founder Robin Zeng has said sodium-ion batteries could potentially replace up to half the market for LFP batteries that CATL now dominates.

Experts say sodium is cheap and abundant, unlike other battery materials, and the chemistry has the potential to reduce EV fire risks. CATL launched its first sodium-ion battery in 2021, becoming the first major automotive battery maker to do so. The second generation was launched last year.

Besides Naxtra, CATL also launched the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging battery – 520 km from five minutes of charging, 0-80% SoC in 15 minutes in cold weather – which will power more than 67 new EV models this year, CATL CTO Gao Huan said at an event in Shanghai, adding that over 18.32 million cars equipped with CATL batteries are running in more than 66 countries.

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