CATL Announces Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Battery, Aiming for 2025 Launch

Chinese battery giant CATL has announced the development of its second-generation sodium-ion battery, set to launch in 2025. Speaking at the World Young Scientists Summit, CATL's chief scientist Wu Kai unveiled the new battery, which aims to enhance performance, particularly in cold conditions, and provide an alternative to lithium-ion technology. CATL's new sodium-ion battery will be integrated into its Freevoy battery pack, alongside traditional lithium-ion cells, and is specifically engineered for use in extended-range electric vehicles.

The second-generation sodium-ion battery reportedly features an energy density of over 200 Wh per kg, a significant improvement compared to early versions, which struggled to reach 100 Wh per kg. While this still falls short of the 300 Wh per kg achieved by the best lithium-ion batteries, it represents a substantial step forward for sodium technology. CATL claims these batteries can function normally at temperatures as low as -40°C, addressing one of the common complaints about electric vehicle performance in cold climates.

Sodium-ion batteries offer a range of advantages, including enhanced safety and lower fire risk compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. They also benefit from lower material costs, as sodium is abundant and relatively inexpensive. Despite these advantages, sodium-ion batteries have yet to benefit from the economies of scale that lithium-ion cells enjoy, as production volumes remain relatively low.

CATL's Freevoy battery pack, which combines both sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells, is designed for use in extended-range EVs and offers 4C super-fast charging. The battery has an estimated range of over 400 kilometers, positioning it as a competitive option in the evolving EV market. The company plans to begin mass production of the new sodium-ion battery by 2027, after initial testing and benchmarking.

Competitor BYD has also been making progress in sodium-ion technology, aiming to reduce costs and improve energy density. BYD's sodium-ion battery is expected to achieve a bill of materials cost comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries by 2025, potentially making sodium an economically viable alternative for specific market segments.