• CATL unveils new Naxtra sodium-ion battery technology aimed at mass production by December.
• The new battery offers 175 Wh/kg energy density, competitive with current lithium iron phosphate options.
• CATL's innovations could significantly reduce costs and improve EV performance and range.
• Over 67 new electric vehicle models are expected to utilize CATL's batteries this year.
• Company reports significant growth despite industry price pressures in the EV market.

The Chinese battery giant CATL has launched its new sodium-ion battery brand, Naxtra, which is set to go into mass production by December 2025. This announcement comes ahead of the Shanghai auto show and demonstrates CATL's commitment to advancing EV technology. The Naxtra batteries are expected to achieve an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram, making them nearly equivalent to the widely used lithium iron phosphate batteries, thus aiming to enhance electric vehicle performance significantly, according to South China Morning Post.

At the launch event, CATL's Chief Technology Officer Gao Huan emphasized the benefits of sodium-ion technology, stating that it is now past the research phase and offers a more cost-effective alternative to lithium and cobalt-based batteries. The new batteries have been designed to reduce production costs and environmental impacts, thereby potentially replacing a significant portion of the LFP battery market. "Sodium-ion battery technology is no longer a research achievement in laboratories," Gao remarked, highlighting the advancements made in energy storage density and environmental protection, according to Reuters.

In addition to the Naxtra batteries, CATL has also introduced the second generation of its fast-charging battery. This battery allows an EV to reach a driving range of 520 kilometers with a mere five-minute charge and can achieve 80% charge from 0% in just 15 minutes, even in cold conditions. This technology could provide a competitive edge to manufacturers using CATL's products, with over 67 new electric vehicle models slated to incorporate these advancements in the upcoming year, according to The New York Times.

Despite facing a challenging price war within the electric vehicle market, CATL reported a growth of 15% in net profit for the previous year, underscoring the resilience of the company in the face of competition. This growth was largely attributed to their pioneering role in developing advanced battery technologies, which positions CATL favorably in the rapidly evolving EV landscape, as detailed by South China Morning Post.