CATL’s Naxtra Sodium-Ion Battery: CATL, the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer, has reached a major milestone in EV battery technology. Its Naxtra sodium-ion battery has become the first of its kind to pass China’s new national standard certification (GB 38031-2025) for power batteries used in electric vehicles. Scheduled for mass production in December 2025 and integration into vehicles in 2026, this breakthrough promises to redefine fast-charging and EV usability, particularly in extreme climates.
Revolutionizing Fast-Charging
Since unveiling its first-generation sodium-ion battery in 2021, CATL has highlighted the chemistry’s potential for ultra-fast charging. The Naxtra battery can achieve 80% state of charge in just 15 minutes at room temperature. This speed is enabled by sodium-ion chemistry, which allows faster ion transfer between the cathode and anode compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Importantly, the battery’s certification under China’s GB 38031-2025 safety standard confirms that this rapid charging does not compromise safety. Tests conducted by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center included fast-charging cycles, validating the battery’s structural and thermal integrity even under aggressive power transfer.
Performance Across Extreme Temperatures
The Naxtra battery’s performance in extreme conditions is particularly noteworthy. While lithium-ion batteries typically slow down in cold weather, CATL’s sodium-ion solution maintains fast-charging capabilities across a wide temperature range of -40°C to 70°C. For instance, at -30°C, the battery can charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes, retaining more than 90% of its capacity even at -40°C. This advancement removes a critical barrier in EV charging infrastructure, particularly in colder regions where winter charging times are often significantly longer.
High Energy Density and Sustainability
In addition to speed and temperature resilience, the Naxtra battery achieves an energy density of 175 Wh/kg—the highest among sodium-ion batteries—enabling driving ranges exceeding 500 km in pure electric vehicles. Sodium’s abundance and lower cost compared to lithium also make the battery a more sustainable and economical option, reducing reliance on scarce materials.
Integration and Strategic Partnerships
CATL plans to integrate Naxtra batteries into upcoming EV models through its partnership with Li Auto, a premium Chinese EV manufacturer. Beyond conventional charging, the battery is compatible with CATL’s Choco-Swap battery swapping ecosystem. Through this network, users can replace a depleted battery in under five minutes, complementing the fast-charging option. CATL’s collaboration with NIO further expands battery swapping capabilities, leveraging NIO’s experience in completing over 30 million battery swaps to establish standardized protocols and infrastructure for the wider EV industry.
Future Applications and Hybrid Systems
CATL is also developing an innovative AB battery system that combines sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, optimizing energy density and low-temperature performance. This hybrid approach ensures that EVs benefit from the strengths of both chemistries while maintaining safety and efficiency.
Conclusion
With the Naxtra sodium-ion battery, CATL sets a new benchmark for EV technology. Fast-charging in 15 minutes, exceptional cold-weather performance, high energy density, and sustainable materials make it a transformative solution for the electric vehicle industry. As production begins in 2025, drivers and manufacturers alike can look forward to a new era of rapid, reliable, and eco-friendly mobility.
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