Changan Automobile and CATL have showcased the world’s first mass-produced passenger vehicle powered by a sodium-ion battery during the Changan SDA Intelligence Milestone Release & Sodium-Ion Battery Global Strategy Launch event in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia. The new version of the Changan Nevo (Qiyuan) A06 is planned to be launched in mid-2026 and will be equipped with a 45 kWh sodium-ion CATL Naxtra sodium-ion battery, with a projected initial driving range of over 400 km (approximately 248.548 miles) on a single charge. Boasting an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, which is comparable to mainstream lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, the cell chemistry excels in extreme cold conditions where other battery technologies often fail.
According to Changan, the results of rigorous testing in Yakeshi has confirmed the battery’s exceptional performance, meeting all user requirements for range, low-temperature resilience, safety, and discharge capabilities. The vehicles’ discharge power at -30℃ is nearly triple that of the conventional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) models of the same capacity. The battery is able to maintain over 90% capacity retention at -40℃ and can stably discharge even in extreme conditions as low as -50°C.
CATL stated that as the technology further develops and the supply chain advances, the pure electric vehicle range of Naxtra-equipped vehicles is projected to reach 500-600 kilometers, while extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are projected to achieve 300-400 km of pure electric range. CATL stated that its Naxtra battery exceeds national standards, withstanding extreme abuse conditions, including: multi-directional extrusion, electric drill penetration, and complete sawing while fully charged. In the tests, CATL claimed the battery exhibited no smoke, no sensation, no fire, and no explosion. Gao Huan, CTO of CATL's China E-car business said that the arrival of sodium-ion technology marks the beginning of a dual-chemistry era where sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries complement each other to meet diverse customer needs.
CATL is currently Changan Automobile’s exclusive sodium-ion battery strategic partner and will supply its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries to all Changan brands, including Avatr, Deepal, Qiyuan, and UNI. CATL expects 2026 to be a pivotal year for sodium-ion battery technology adoption across more vehicles and broader markets. CATL’s sodium-ion batteries (including Naxtra) are designed for deep compatibility with multiple automotive brands and it has planned to establish over 3,000 Choco-Swap battery swap stations across 140 Chinese cities by 2026, with more than 600 located in colder northern regions.
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