CATL Unveils Sodium-Ion Battery for EVs to Tackle Winter Range Loss

The battery maker claims its new Naxtra technology can keep EVs charging and delivering power in extreme cold temperatures.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:15am

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Chinese battery giant CATL has announced plans to launch electric vehicles powered by its new sodium-ion battery technology, called Naxtra, in mid-2026. The company claims the battery can perform stably at temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F), addressing a key challenge of EVs in cold weather - diminished range and slower charging. While the lab test results are promising, experts caution that real-world performance will depend on various factors, and sodium-ion tech may remain a niche for now due to higher manufacturing costs compared to lithium-ion batteries.

Why it matters

EVs have struggled with range loss and slower charging in cold weather, a major barrier to wider adoption, especially in colder regions. CATL's sodium-ion battery technology could help address this issue and make EVs more winterproof, potentially benefiting markets like the northern United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.

The details

CATL says its Naxtra sodium-ion battery can deliver nearly three times the discharge power of equivalent lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries at -30°C (-22°F), and can charge to 90% full when the temperature drops to -40°C (-40°F). The company also claims the battery can achieve "stable power delivery" at -50°C (-58°F) in test conditions. In comparison, most lithium-ion batteries would only deliver a small fraction of their original capacity without active heating systems at those extreme temperatures. The improved cold-weather performance is attributed to the weaker bonds between sodium ions and the liquid electrolyte, allowing them to move more easily even when the electrolyte thickens in the cold.

  • CATL plans to launch EVs with its Naxtra sodium-ion battery technology in mid-2026.

The players

Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL)

The world's largest electric vehicle battery maker, producing an estimated 40% of the global supply.

Changan Automobile

The Chinese automaker that will manufacture the EVs featuring CATL's Naxtra sodium-ion batteries.

Liu Chenguang

A battery researcher at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China.

Kenil Rajpura

A materials scientist at Pandit Deendayal Energy University in India.

Xing Lei

An independent analyst of the Chinese auto industry based in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“It may benefit other cold regions, too, such as parts of the United States, Canada and Europe.”

— Liu Chenguang, battery researcher

“At those temperatures, most lithium-ion batteries would deliver only a very small fraction of their original capacity unless the pack has an active heating system.”

— Liu Chenguang, battery researcher

“Charging and discharging at -50 degrees C is 'scientifically possible, though extremely challenging'.”

— Kenil Rajpura, materials scientist

“The figures CATL has shared are likely best-case results from controlled tests. How those EVs perform in the real world will depend on a range of factors, including how customers use them.”

— Xing Lei, independent analyst

“If the car performs well at low temperatures without costing a premium, sodium-ion technology could find a foothold in colder regions. If not, it may remain a niche chemistry for now.”

— Phate Zhang, founder of CnEVPost

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

CATL's new sodium-ion battery technology could be a game-changer for electric vehicles in cold climates, addressing a key challenge of range loss and slower charging in winter. However, the real-world performance and cost competitiveness of this technology will determine if it can truly disrupt the EV market beyond a niche application.