Photo: CATL
Battery market leader CATL announced the second generation of its sodium-ion batteries with improved specifications. The new batteries promise to maintain their performance even at temperatures of minus 40 degrees, which is identical on both Fahrenheit and Celsius scales. CATL intends to start trial production next year, with volume production planned for 2027.
Sodium-ion batteries have been in development for years, with the first generation from BYD and CATL already installed in some production vehicles. These batteries work similarly to their lithium-ion counterparts, bringing some advantages and disadvantages. As expected, one of the biggest advantages is the price, thanks to sodium being much more abundant and easier to source than lithium.
On the other hand, sodium-ion batteries have a lower energy density, with the best first-generation cells remaining under 160 Wh per kg. However, most Na-ion cells produced today are barely inching above the 100 Wh/kg mark, making them better for stationary storage batteries than mobile applications like electric vehicles.
However, things advance quickly in China, where sodium-ion batteries are projected to follow a similar trajectory as the LFP cells. These also started their career with low energy densities under 100 Wh/kg but have quickly increased performance and are now competing with nickel-based cells in many areas. That's why CATL announcing their second-generation sodium-ion batteries is as exciting as it gets.
CATL claims that the second-generation Na-ion chemistry allows the production of batteries with over 200 Wh/kg energy density, which makes them EV-grade. However, that's not their most impressive feature. Sodium-ion batteries are known for being less affected by low temperatures than Li-ion batteries. CATL promises that its new Na-ion cells can discharge normally even at temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.
That's impressive, considering that Li-ion batteries are not very good under 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Cold temperatures affect charging and discharging performance, which is why the thermal management system needs to compensate by raising the battery pack temperature as required. This is also why pre-conditioning is needed before fast charging. Otherwise, charging performance will be affected.
CATL aims to launch the new sodium-ion cells next year, with mass production expected to begin in 2027. If the production cells live up to their promise in terms of energy density (above 200 Wh/kg) and low-temperature performance, the auto industry could have a new battery type that would lower EV production costs. Sodium ion cells are also safer than their Li-ion counterparts thanks to their increased stability, bringing another important advantage to the table.
CATL is not the only battery manufacturer developing sodium-ion batteries. Its archrival BYD is also working on the chemistry, although its corresponding cells turned out to be more expensive than LFP cells. BYD Na-ion cells also have a fairly low energy density, at about 105-130 Wh/kg, according to Car News China. BYD expects its second-generation cells to bring the bill of materials (BOM) down to the level of LFP cells in 2025 and less than 70% of LFP batteries in the long term.
On the other hand, sodium-ion batteries have a lower energy density, with the best first-generation cells remaining under 160 Wh per kg. However, most Na-ion cells produced today are barely inching above the 100 Wh/kg mark, making them better for stationary storage batteries than mobile applications like electric vehicles.
However, things advance quickly in China, where sodium-ion batteries are projected to follow a similar trajectory as the LFP cells. These also started their career with low energy densities under 100 Wh/kg but have quickly increased performance and are now competing with nickel-based cells in many areas. That's why CATL announcing their second-generation sodium-ion batteries is as exciting as it gets.
CATL claims that the second-generation Na-ion chemistry allows the production of batteries with over 200 Wh/kg energy density, which makes them EV-grade. However, that's not their most impressive feature. Sodium-ion batteries are known for being less affected by low temperatures than Li-ion batteries. CATL promises that its new Na-ion cells can discharge normally even at temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.
That's impressive, considering that Li-ion batteries are not very good under 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Cold temperatures affect charging and discharging performance, which is why the thermal management system needs to compensate by raising the battery pack temperature as required. This is also why pre-conditioning is needed before fast charging. Otherwise, charging performance will be affected.
CATL aims to launch the new sodium-ion cells next year, with mass production expected to begin in 2027. If the production cells live up to their promise in terms of energy density (above 200 Wh/kg) and low-temperature performance, the auto industry could have a new battery type that would lower EV production costs. Sodium ion cells are also safer than their Li-ion counterparts thanks to their increased stability, bringing another important advantage to the table.
CATL is not the only battery manufacturer developing sodium-ion batteries. Its archrival BYD is also working on the chemistry, although its corresponding cells turned out to be more expensive than LFP cells. BYD Na-ion cells also have a fairly low energy density, at about 105-130 Wh/kg, according to Car News China. BYD expects its second-generation cells to bring the bill of materials (BOM) down to the level of LFP cells in 2025 and less than 70% of LFP batteries in the long term.
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