ISLAMABAD: Chinese battery giant CATL on Monday announced the launch of a new sodium-ion battery brand, Naxtra, with mass production expected to begin in December 2025. The company also introduced the second generation of its Shenxing fast-charging battery, marking a major step forward in EV battery innovation.
CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, first unveiled its sodium-ion battery technology in 2021, becoming the first major player to do so. Sodium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their cost-effectiveness, safety profile, and the abundance of raw materials compared to lithium. The Naxtra batteries will initially offer an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, comparable to the widely used lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Ouyang Chuying, CATL’s Co-President of R&D, noted that sodium-ion batteries could offer a significant cost advantage over lithium-ion options as the technology and supporting supply chain evolve. CATL’s founder Robin Zeng has even projected that sodium-ion batteries could eventually replace up to half of the current LFP battery market.
In addition to Naxtra, CATL unveiled the upgraded Shenxing battery, capable of delivering a 520 km range with just a five-minute charge. It can reach 80% charge in 15 minutes even in low temperatures. With a total potential range of 500 miles, the new Shenxing battery is designed for long-distance travel and convenience.
CATL CTO Gao Huan revealed that over 67 new EV models launching this year will be powered by Shenxing batteries, though he did not specify which would use the latest version. To enhance vehicle safety, CATL also introduced a new dual-battery pack system, likened to the twin-engine configuration of aircraft.
Globally, more than 18.32 million vehicles across 66 countries are now equipped with CATL batteries.
Despite fierce price competition in China’s EV market, CATL managed to post a 15% increase in net profit for 2024 — its slowest growth rate in six years.
“Our goal is to make the Shenxing battery the new benchmark for EVs,” said Gao. “With faster charging and better cold-weather performance, we’re offering users a more liberated and reliable driving experience.”
The Naxtra battery, besides being cost-effective and safer, will offer up to 310 miles of range per charge, maintaining strong performance in cold climates — setting the stage for a new chapter in affordable, high-performance EV technology.
