CATL delivers new sodium-ion batteries for electric trucks

Drivers in cold climates have always worried about how EVs handle freezing temperatures. Most batteries lose power when the mercury drops, leaving drivers either stranded or charging for hours. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, better known as CATL, has unveiled its latest solution to that problem.

During a high-profile event, the company launched the Tectrans II battery series, featuring the first mass-produced sodium-ion battery designed specifically for light commercial vehicles. This new technology is a big deal for small business owners who use light trucks and micro-trucks. Unlike the standard lithium-ion packs found in most electric cars, these sodium units thrive in the cold.

CATL reports that these batteries can still plug in and charge even when the temperature hits -22°F. Even more impressive is the capacity retention. At a bone-chilling -40°F, the battery keeps 90% of its usable energy. Delivery drivers in a frigid northern city won't have to worry anymore about their range disappearing just because it is winter.

The specific sodium-ion pack used for these small vans and trucks has a capacity of 45 kWh. Sodium batteries are usually less dense than lithium ones, but they are much cheaper to produce because sodium is pretty much everywhere. CATL expects 2026 to be the year these batteries truly take over. They plan to put them in everything from passenger EVs to massive energy storage systems. The company describes a future where sodium and lithium work together as a "dual-star" team to power the next generation of transport.

CATL also showed off an ultra-fast charging lithium battery for people who are allergic to waiting. This specific model can charge from 20% to 80% in only 30 minutes, even if it is 5°F outside. For those living in hot deserts, CATL created a high-temperature version. This battery can add 60% of its range in just 18 minutes. It is also built to last, with a life cycle of 5,000 charges even when operating at a hot 113°F.

For long-haul drivers, the Tectrans II series has a massive long-range option. This heavy-duty pack has a capacity of 253 kWh - that's enough energy to drive a commercial vehicle for 497 miles on a single charge. By offering such a large capacity, CATL is trying to prove that electric trucks can handle long trips across the country without needing to stop at every exit for a plug.

Finally, the company introduced new options for drivers who prefer swapping batteries instead of waiting for a charge. CATL revealed three different "swap blocks" that can be popped in and out of a vehicle at a dedicated station. These include the #20 block with 42 kWh, the #25 block with 56 kWh, and the #35 block with 81 kWh of capacity.

By providing these different sizes and the new sodium-ion technology, CATL is making it much easier for companies to switch their fleets to electric power regardless of the weather. The variety of batteries and different technologies available shows that the industry is moving away from a "one size fits all" approach to battery design.

Via