CATL is scaling up its sodium-ion battery (SIB) product range in 2026, expanding applications to energy storage, battery swap systems, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles. With energy densities up to 175 Wh/kg, extreme temperature operability (-40 °C to 70 °C), and a lower carbon footprint, SIBs are positioned to complement lithium-ion batteries, creating a “dual-star” approach in battery technology.
How Is CATL Expanding Sodium-Ion Applications?
CATL’s 2026 plans include deployment across multiple sectors:
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Energy Storage: Grid and distributed storage systems benefit from the low-cost, durable SIBs.
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Battery Swap Systems: Commercial electric vehicles can leverage fast-replaceable SIB modules.
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Passenger Vehicles: Sodium-ion batteries support ranges of up to 500 km, with reliable performance in extreme temperatures.
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Commercial Vehicles: 24V heavy-truck starter batteries offer rugged, high-current performance for industrial applications.
Why Are Sodium-Ion Batteries Gaining Strategic Importance?
SIBs provide key advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for certain applications:
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Broader temperature range supports cold winters and hot summers.
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Reduced carbon footprint and enhanced safety.
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Competitive energy density (up to 175 Wh/kg) for mid-range mobility and stationary storage.
This positions sodium-ion technology as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative for high-volume commercial adoption.
What Are the Market Dynamics Affecting Sodium-Ion Batteries?
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Cost Trends: IRENA forecasts SIB cell costs could drop to $40/kWh.
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Complementary Role: Sodium-ion is expected to supplement, not replace, lithium-ion batteries, optimizing supply chains and deployment flexibility.
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Lithium Pricing: Lower-cost LFP battery packs fell to $70/kWh in 2025, influencing the comparative value of SIBs for stationary storage.
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Supply Chain Challenges: Raw material availability and production scale remain critical factors for market growth.
Which Manufacturers Are Leading the Sodium-Ion Segment?
CATL is the front-runner in commercializing sodium-ion technology, introducing the Naxtra brand with:
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Sodium New Power Battery: Optimized for passenger vehicles.
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Sodium New 24V Heavy Truck Start-Park Integrated Battery: Ruggedized for commercial and industrial vehicles.
Other major players like BYD and Huawei are also actively exploring sodium-ion applications, though CATL leads in large-scale deployment and pilot projects.
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How Will Sodium-Ion Batteries Complement Lithium-Ion Systems?
CATL’s “dual-star” approach envisions:
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Lithium-ion batteries covering high-energy, long-range applications.
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Sodium-ion batteries handling temperature extremes, high-current starts, and cost-sensitive stationary storage.
This synergy allows businesses and utilities to optimize battery deployment based on application-specific requirements.
What Are the Future Outlook and Opportunities?
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Energy Storage Expansion: SIBs provide reliable, sustainable alternatives for grid-scale and distributed storage projects.
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Commercial Vehicle Integration: Heavy-duty fleets can benefit from lighter, temperature-resilient batteries with longer lifecycle performance.
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Battery Swaps & Microgrids: Rapidly replaceable modules support urban mobility and emergency power solutions.
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Cost Reduction: Ongoing R&D and scaling production are expected to further lower SIB costs, making them more competitive with lithium-ion options.
Conclusion
In 2026, CATL’s sodium-ion battery strategy positions SIBs as a complementary technology to lithium-ion batteries, supporting grid storage, commercial transport, and passenger EV applications. With strong thermal tolerance, environmental advantages, and declining costs, sodium-ion batteries are set to expand their role in energy storage and electrified mobility, forming a dual-battery ecosystem for diverse industrial and consumer applications.
