What type of EV battery did CATL announce in January 2026 it would begin installing in passenger vehicles by mid-year?

The battery technology that Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) announced in January 2026 it would begin installing in passenger vehicles by mid-year is sodium-ion. This move by CATL, a global leader in battery manufacturing, signifies a significant step in diversifying battery chemistries for electric vehicles. The company, which unveiled its "Naxtra" sodium-ion battery brand in April 2025, confirmed in January 2026 that these batteries would be integrated into passenger cars, with models like the AION Y Plus and Changan Oshan expected to be among the first.

The adoption of sodium-ion batteries is driven by several compelling advantages, particularly in combating the rising costs and supply chain volatility associated with lithium. Sodium is a far more abundant and inexpensive element than lithium, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative for battery production. Beyond cost, sodium-ion batteries demonstrate superior performance in extreme cold, maintaining efficient charging and operation at temperatures as low as -30°C, a significant improvement over some lithium-ion counterparts. They also offer enhanced safety due to greater chemical stability, making them less prone to thermal runaway.

While historically sodium-ion batteries have faced challenges with lower energy density compared to lithium-ion, CATL's Naxtra battery achieves an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, which is comparable to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. CATL aims to further close this gap, projecting that sodium-ion batteries will reach the energy density of LFP batteries within the next three years, enabling pure-electric driving ranges exceeding 400-500 kilometers for passenger vehicles. This development suggests that sodium-ion batteries are poised to play a crucial role in the electric vehicle market, particularly for urban cars, fleet vehicles, and models where predictable behavior, durability, and cost stability are paramount.