CATL Unveils First Mass-Produced Sodium-Ion Battery for Commercial EVs

CATL officially introduced the Tianxing II battery series on January 22, 2026, highlighting a new sodium-ion variant. 

The 45 kWh sodium-ion battery is designed specifically for small vans, micro vans, and light trucks. 

The battery achieves energy density of 175 Wh/kg and a cycle life exceeding 10,000 cycles. 

It is the industry’s first mass-produced sodium-ion battery for commercial vehicles. 

The battery received GB 38031-2025 certification, China’s new national EV battery standard. 

In extreme cold of -40 °C, the battery retains about 90 % usable capacity. 

The pack supports immediate charging at -30 °C, addressing winter operation challenges. 

The Tianxing II lineup includes four versions: low-temperature (sodium), fast-charging, long-range, and high-temperature fast-charging variants. 

The long-range variant offers up to 253 kWh capacity with ≈800 km range for logistics use. 

Sodium is >1,000× more abundant and ~1/20 the extraction cost of lithium, implying future cost advantages. 

Implications of CATL’s mass-produced sodium-ion battery announcement for the Ethiopian market:

1. Potential cost reduction in EV fleets: Sodium-ion batteries use abundant sodium instead of lithium, which could lower battery and thus EV costs if adopted regionally. 

2. Enhanced cold-weather performance: The new battery’s ability to retain performance in low temperatures could benefit logistics and commercial EV use in highland and variable climates. 

3. Acceleration of commercial EV adoption: With Ethiopia rapidly increasing electric vehicle numbers (over 115,000 EVs) and policy support for EVs, more affordable, durable batteries support this growth trajectory. 

4. Encouragement for local infrastructure investment: The technology spotlight may incentivize expansion of charging and service networks, addressing current shortages that limit EV use outside Addis Ababa. 

5. Opportunity for domestic participation: As Ethiopia explores local EV and battery industries and assembly initiatives, sodium-ion technology can present a simpler, potentially more accessible entry point for manufacturing and skills development.