CATL unveiled a sodium-ion battery at a MIIT-backed industry showcase, targeting electric vehicles with up to 600 km range and a reported 15,000-cycle lifespan. The company plans to begin rollout later in 2026, emphasizing cold-weather performance and supply chain diversification through synthetic carbon anodes sourced from suppliers like Wanhua Chemical. The announcement positions sodium-ion technology as a complement to lithium-ion batteries, addressing material supply constraints and winter performance challenges in the EV market.
CATL Announces 15,000-Cycle Sodium-Ion Battery Specifications
CATL stated its sodium-ion cells are designed for up to 15,000 cycles and as much as 20 years of service under typical conditions. The company highlighted capacity retention in cold climates, where lithium-ion packs can experience output drops. CATL indicated the cells maintain performance in deep cold, targeting applications from grid storage to budget EV configurations. Third-party testing will assess the cold-weather performance claims.
One Shell, Two Cells Design Enables Hybrid Battery Platforms
The battery architecture, called One Shell, Two Cells, allows automakers to combine sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells inside the same enclosure. CATL described this mix-and-match approach as enabling faster integration without retooling entire product lines. The hybrid pack design permits manufacturers to balance cost, cold-weather resilience, and energy density across different vehicle configurations.
Wanhua Chemical Supplies Coal-Based Anodes for Supply Chain Diversification
CATL's sodium batteries use synthetic hard carbon derived from coal for the anode, supplied by companies including Wanhua Chemical. This material choice replaces hard carbon made from coconut husks, reducing exposure to biomass supply chain volatility. The shift to coal-based synthetic carbon aims to leverage domestic material sources and cut reliance on imported organic materials.
CATL Targets 600 km Range and Cold-Weather Performance
CATL stated that battery packs blending sodium and lithium could achieve vehicle ranges up to 600 km (372 miles) depending on configuration. The company positioned the technology for utility-scale storage, commercial fleets in colder regions, and entry-level EVs. Rollout is scheduled to begin later in 2026, with U.S. launch timing unconfirmed.
FAQ
What did CATL announce at the MIIT-backed showcase?
CATL unveiled a sodium-ion battery designed for up to 15,000 cycles and 20 years of service, with a rollout planned for later in 2026. The battery uses a One Shell, Two Cells architecture that allows sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells to be combined in the same enclosure.
Why does CATL use coal-based anodes in its sodium-ion batteries?
CATL's sodium batteries use synthetic hard carbon derived from coal, supplied by companies like Wanhua Chemical, to reduce reliance on coconut husk-based hard carbon and biomass supply chain volatility. This material choice aims to leverage domestic sources and cut exposure to imported organic materials.
How does CATL's sodium-ion battery perform in cold weather?
CATL stated the sodium-ion cells maintain capacity retention in cold climates, where lithium-ion packs can see output drops. The company emphasized steady performance in deep cold, though third-party testing will assess these claims.
