Automotive battery maker also launches second generation of its Shenxing battery with five-minute charge
21 April 2025 - 20:41
byZhang Yan and Brenda Goh
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An electric vehicle battery is displayed at the CATL booth during the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, China November 28 2023. Picture: REUTERS/FLORENCE LO
Shanghai — China’s CATL on Monday launched a new brand for its sodium-ion batteries, Naxtra, which it said would go into mass production in December, and a second generation of its fast-charging battery for electric vehicles (EVs).
CATL became the first major automotive battery maker to launch a sodium-ion battery in 2021. Unlike other battery materials, sodium is cheap and abundant, and the chemistry has the potential to reduce fire risks in EVs, experts have said.
The first production under the Naxtra brand will be of a new sodium-ion battery with an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogramme, nearly equivalent to the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries popularly used in electric vehicles and grid energy storage systems.
Sodium-ion batteries may have a cost advantage over lithium-ion batteries as the technology and supply chain develop, said Ouyang Chuying, co-president for research & development at CATL.
CATL’s billionaire founder Robin Zeng has said he sees sodium-ion batteries potentially replacing up to half the market for LFP batteries that CATL now dominates.
Besides Naxtra, CATL also launched the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging battery, which it said can enable a 520km driving range with a five-minute charge, and reach 80% charging from 0% in 15 minutes in cold weather.
More than 67 new electric vehicle models will be powered by the Shenxing battery this year, said CATL chief technology officer Gao Huan at an event in Shanghai, without specifying how many would be equipped with the first or second generation version.
More than 18.32-million cars equipped with CATL batteries are running in more than 66 countries globally, according to Gao.
CATL also launched a new system to pair battery packs together, similar to the two-engine system on passenger jets, which the company said would improve EV safety.
Last month, CATL reported 15% growth in 2024 net profit, the slowest pace in six years, as a prolonged price war in China’s EV market put pressure on the Chinese battery giant.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
China’s CATL launches fast-charging sodium-ion battery brand
Automotive battery maker also launches second generation of its Shenxing battery with five-minute charge
Shanghai — China’s CATL on Monday launched a new brand for its sodium-ion batteries, Naxtra, which it said would go into mass production in December, and a second generation of its fast-charging battery for electric vehicles (EVs).
CATL became the first major automotive battery maker to launch a sodium-ion battery in 2021. Unlike other battery materials, sodium is cheap and abundant, and the chemistry has the potential to reduce fire risks in EVs, experts have said.
The first production under the Naxtra brand will be of a new sodium-ion battery with an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogramme, nearly equivalent to the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries popularly used in electric vehicles and grid energy storage systems.
Sodium-ion batteries may have a cost advantage over lithium-ion batteries as the technology and supply chain develop, said Ouyang Chuying, co-president for research & development at CATL.
CATL’s billionaire founder Robin Zeng has said he sees sodium-ion batteries potentially replacing up to half the market for LFP batteries that CATL now dominates.
Besides Naxtra, CATL also launched the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging battery, which it said can enable a 520km driving range with a five-minute charge, and reach 80% charging from 0% in 15 minutes in cold weather.
More than 67 new electric vehicle models will be powered by the Shenxing battery this year, said CATL chief technology officer Gao Huan at an event in Shanghai, without specifying how many would be equipped with the first or second generation version.
More than 18.32-million cars equipped with CATL batteries are running in more than 66 countries globally, according to Gao.
CATL also launched a new system to pair battery packs together, similar to the two-engine system on passenger jets, which the company said would improve EV safety.
Last month, CATL reported 15% growth in 2024 net profit, the slowest pace in six years, as a prolonged price war in China’s EV market put pressure on the Chinese battery giant.
Reuters
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