Naxtra Sodium-Ion Battery

Overview

CATL's bet that the cheapest path past lithium is table salt. Naxtra reaches 175 Wh/kg, effectively matching LFP energy density while using no lithium, nickel or cobalt, and performs far better in extreme cold. CATL has said sodium-ion could eventually displace 30% to 40% of the existing battery market, and is deploying it across battery swapping, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and grid storage. The first mass-produced sodium-ion passenger EV, the Changan Nevo A06, was shown in February 2026.

Chief Scientist Wu Kai confirmed on May 30, 2026 that the four manufacturing bottlenecks were resolved; full-scale mass production remains targeted by the end of 2026

Key Specs

Energy density

175 Wh/kg (matching LFP without lithium, nickel or cobalt)

First passenger EV

Changan Nevo A06, unveiled February 2026

Mass production

Full-scale production targeted by end-2026; bottlenecks confirmed resolved May 30, 2026

Largest supply deal

60 GWh, three-year agreement with Hyperstrong (Apr 27, 2026)