BChina’s CATL Begins mass production of game-changing sodium batteries

Beijing, October 30, 2025 — In a move that could redefine the global energy storage industry, Chinese battery giant CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) has announced the mass production of its first sodium-ion batteries, shattering expectations that the technology would not be commercially viable until 2035.

The newly launched Naxtra sodium-ion battery line boasts the same capacity and size as lithium-ion batteries, but at just one-tenth of the cost. The batteries are also reported to last up to 25 years, maintain performance in temperatures as low as -30°C, and offer significantly higher safety due to their stable chemical composition.

CATL stated that mass production of the Naxtra line—featuring higher energy density than earlier prototypes—will ramp up by December 2025. Earlier this year, in July 2025, the company also began large-scale manufacturing of 24V sodium-ion batteries designed for heavy-duty trucks, marking a major step toward electrifying industrial transport sectors.

Experts have described the breakthrough as a potential disruptor to the global lithium supply chain, which has faced soaring prices and environmental concerns tied to mining and processing. Sodium, which is abundant and widely available, could drastically reduce dependency on lithium and cobalt, reshaping the economics of battery manufacturing worldwide.

If the technology scales successfully, analysts predict sodium batteries could revolutionize renewable energy storage, electric vehicles, and grid-scale power systems—ushering in a new era of affordable and sustainable energy.