CATL Naxtra to enter production by year-end
China’s CATL, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers, has announced the launch of its new sodium-ion battery brand, Naxtra. The company said production would begin in December 2025. It also introduced the second generation of its fast-charging battery technology designed for electric vehicles (EVs).
CATL, which first introduced sodium-ion battery technology in 2021, is the first major battery maker to do so. Sodium, unlike lithium, is widely available and more affordable. It also poses a lower fire risk, making it a safer option for EVs and energy storage.
The Naxtra battery will feature an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram. This performance is nearly on par with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are currently common in electric cars and power storage systems.
According to CATL’s R&D co-president Ouyang Chuying, sodium-ion technology could become more cost-effective than lithium-ion as its supply chain develops. Robin Zeng, the company’s billionaire founder, believes sodium-ion batteries could eventually replace up to half of the current LFP battery market, where CATL already has a strong presence.
Shenxing fast-charging battery gets major upgrade
Alongside Naxtra, CATL introduced the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging battery. This version supports a 520 km driving range on just a five-minute charge. It can also recharge from zero to 80% in just 15 minutes, even in cold weather.
CATL’s Chief Technology Officer Gao Huan revealed that over 67 new EV models this year would use Shenxing batteries. However, he did not clarify how many would use the latest version.
Gao also shared that more than 18.32 million vehicles worldwide are currently powered by CATL batteries, operating across 66 countries.
New safety-focused battery system
The company also unveiled a new battery pack system designed to enhance EV safety. The setup links battery packs in a way similar to twin engines on passenger jets. CATL said this approach adds a layer of redundancy and stability, improving overall vehicle safety.
Despite these advancements, CATL recently reported a slowdown in profit growth. The company posted a 15% rise in net profit for 2024, its slowest in six years. The decline is attributed to an ongoing price war in China’s highly competitive EV market.
with inputs from Reuters