At the World Young Scientist Summit on November 17, CATL's Chief Scientist Wu Kai announced the completion of the company’s second-generation sodium-ion battery development. This marks another milestone in CATL's advancements in sodium-ion technology. The new battery is expected to enter the market in 2025, offering significant improvements over the first-generation model across key performance metrics.
Key Features of the Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Battery:
Higher Energy Density：Energy density exceeds 200 Wh/kg, a substantial increase from the 160 Wh/kg of the first generation.Approaches the energy density levels of mainstream lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, enhancing competitiveness.
Superior Low-Temperature Performance：Capable of discharging efficiently in temperatures as low as -40°C, making it suitable for extreme cold regions.
A significant improvement from the first generation’s performance at -20°C.
Enhanced Safety：Generates less heat during charge-discharge cycles, reducing thermal runaway risks. Builds on the high thermal stability of the first-generation product, meeting stringent safety standards for EVs and energy storage systems.
Broader Applications：Suited for diverse scenarios, including electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems. Provides cost-effective and high-performing solutions for renewable energy integration and electrification in extreme climates.
Background and Progress：CATL introduced its first-generation sodium-ion battery in July 2021, featuring high energy density, rapid charging, outstanding thermal stability, and low-temperature performance. With an energy density of 160 Wh/kg, it could charge to 80% capacity within 15 minutes at room temperature and retain over 90% discharge capacity at -20°C.
The second-generation model builds upon this foundation, achieving a balance of improved energy density, safety, and environmental adaptability. This innovation highlights CATL's continued leadership in battery technology, aiming to reshape the market with sustainable and efficient alternatives to lithium-based solutions.
Source：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Y4gOLwi26NWFoszg2DZ_pA