China’s CATL launches new EV sodium battery
by AFP Workers Writers
Shanghai (AFP) April 21, 2025
Chinese language battery large CATL launched on Monday a brand new sodium-ion battery it says will restructure the electrical automotive business, and a brand new system to mix two battery applied sciences into one automotive.
The agency produces greater than a 3rd of all electrical automobile (EV) batteries bought worldwide, working with main manufacturers together with Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen.
Sodium-ion batteries are considered as a less expensive and in some respects safer different to the lithium-ion batteries that are extensively utilized in each electronics and electrical autos however pose a hearth threat if broken.
“We are going to obtain mass manufacturing by the tip of the yr. It would restructure the entire business,” CATL’s chief advertising and marketing officer Luo Jian informed a information convention in Shanghai on Monday.
Manufacturing of the sodium-ion batteries is because of begin in June, starting with small starter batteries for heavy items autos underneath the Naxtra model. This new battery is anticipated to supply a serious benefit for beginning autos in chilly climate.
Manufacturing of huge batteries for electrical and hybrid automobiles are on account of comply with in December of this yr.
The sodium-ion batteries have “emerged from the labs and are actually prepared for industrial scale manufacturing”, CATL CEO Robin Zeng informed the information convention.
Zeng stated he sees sodium-ion batteries changing half the marketplace for lithium, iron and phosphate batteries.
Whereas sodium-ion expertise has been round for many years, it has lagged behind lithium-ion batteries in efficiency. However renewed curiosity within the expertise has meant sodium-ion batteries will be manufactured with out the necessity for sure pricey metals.
CATL’s Naxtra batteries promise a driving vary of 500 kilometres (310 miles) for electrical automobiles.
A number of hours earlier than the opening of the Shanghai Motor Present on Monday, CATL additionally launched the second era of its Shenxing battery, on account of be fitted in 67 automobiles this yr belonging to Chinese language manufacturers Zeekr, Nio and Avatr.
The fast-charging battery boasts an 800-kilometre driving vary, and a 520-kilometre vary regained in simply 5 minutes of charging time — greater than its Chinese language rival BYD.
CATL is relying on the event of battery trade programs, similar to that of its associate Nio, to disseminate its new applied sciences.
However heavy tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on China might enhance the value of elements and automobiles.
CATL executives declined to touch upon tariffs.
The US Protection Division has included CATL on an inventory of corporations it accuses of affiliation with the Chinese language army, a declare denied by CATL.
On the Shanghai Motor Present, the group additionally introduced as its new twin battery system for EVs.
The agency’s technical director Gao Huan stated the twin system will provide extra security, significantly for self-driving automobiles, by stopping failure if one of many two batteries malfunctions.
A manufacturing date for the twin batteries, which have been in improvement for 5 years, has but to be introduced. However one automotive producer is already utilizing the twin system in its design of an autonomous automotive, Gao stated.
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