Already a dominant force in the global electric vehicle battery market, CATL has announced that its sodium-ion batteries will be ready for large-scale adoption by the end of 2026.

The company confirmed the timeline during a supplier conference on December 28, 2025, stating that the new battery technology will be deployed across several sectors, including battery swapping, passenger and commercial vehicles, and energy storage systems.

CATL, which held 38.1% of the global EV battery market through October 2025, continues to lead competitors such as BYD (16.9%), LG Energy Solution (9.3%), CALB (4.7%), and Gotion (4.1%). The introduction of sodium-ion batteries is seen as a strategic move to maintain its market leadership.

In April 2025, CATL launched its sodium-ion battery brand, Naxtra, with cells achieving an energy density of 175 kWh/kg—comparable to high-performance LFP batteries. Like LFP, sodium-ion technology offers a lower-cost alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, with added benefits such as improved safety and better performance in cold climates.

CATL's sodium-ion batteries are designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -40℃ to 70℃ and are expected to enable driving ranges exceeding 500 km (310 miles) on a single charge. The batteries have already passed China’s updated EV battery safety standards (GB 38031-2025), which take effect in July 2026.

According to CATL, this new technology will help reduce dependence on lithium resources and strengthen the foundation of new energy systems, supporting a shift from “single resource dependence” toward greater “energy freedom.”