CATL targets mass production of sodium-ion batteries by 2026

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL aims to achieve mass production of sodium-ion batteries by 2026 after claiming to have overcome key manufacturing challenges. According to CATL’s Chief Scientist Wu Kai, the core obstacles in sodium-ion battery production have now been resolved, enabling the company to prepare for large-scale production from the end of this year. Carnewschina reported on Saturday that CATL states sodium-ion batteries could offer a cheaper alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries due to more abundant raw materials and no reliance on lithium or other rare minerals. The company estimates electric vehicles using these batteries could travel up to 600 kilometres on a single charge. This push for mass production coincides with strengthening China’s domestic dominance in conventional battery technology. Monthly production volumes consist of 19.53 gigawatt-hours of lithium iron phosphate systems and 9.53 gigawatt-hours of conventional nickel-manganese-cobalt battery packs. The expansion into sodium-ion technology introduces parallel production lines alongside the manufacturer’s established high-volume lithium iron phosphate and nickel-manganese-cobalt production lines.