CATL Launches Sodium-Ion Battery, Boosts EV Range 520km in 5 Minutes

Chinese battery giant CATL has introduced significant innovations in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, including the mass production launch of its sodium-ion battery brand Naxtra and a second-generation Shenxing fast-charging battery capable of delivering a 520 km range with just a five-minute charge. Sodium-ion batteries are seen as a promising, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries due to their abundance and lower fire risk. CATL also unveiled graphite-free auxiliary batteries, which could further reduce costs and boost energy density for EVs. As the world's top EV battery supplier, CATL's new technologies are poised to accelerate the competitiveness of electric cars against gasoline vehicles, especially as over 67 new EV models will feature the Shenxing battery this year. These advances, while some are a few years from widespread adoption, highlight a pivotal shift in the EV market and battery supply chain. Industry leaders like BYD and Huawei are also contributing to rapid supercharging innovations, intensifying competition and pushing forward the global EV transition.