Quick Takeaways
- CATL sodium-ion battery for light commercial vehicles sets a new benchmark for cold-weather EV performance.
- The launch highlights CATL’s push to accelerate mass adoption of sodium-ion technology across commercial mobility.
CATL has unveiled a sodium-ion battery designed specifically for light commercial vehicles, marking a significant step toward wider commercialization of this emerging chemistry. The company said the battery is engineered for extreme cold environments, retaining 90% of its usable capacity even at -40°C, a critical requirement for commercial fleets operating in harsh climates.
The sodium-ion battery pack offers a capacity of 45 kWh and is aimed at small vans and micro-trucks used in urban and regional logistics. According to CATL, the battery can still be plugged in and charged at temperatures as low as -30°C, addressing a key limitation faced by many existing electric vehicle batteries in winter conditions.
CATL sodium-ion battery for light commercial vehicles leads cold-climate performance
CATL introduced the new sodium-ion solution as part of its Tectrans II series power batteries, which primarily targets light commercial vehicles. The low-temperature variant in this lineup is described by the company as the industry’s first mass-produced sodium battery for this vehicle segment, underlining its readiness for real-world deployment rather than pilot-scale use.
This launch represents CATL’s first major move in the sodium-ion battery sector this year. At a supplier conference held in Ningde, Fujian on December 28, the company stated that sodium-ion batteries are expected to see large-scale adoption from 2026 across battery swapping, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage. CATL also noted that sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries are set to form a complementary “dual-star” technology trend.
Tectrans II series expands beyond sodium-ion technology
Beyond the sodium-ion battery, the Tectrans II series includes multiple variants tailored to different operational needs. An ultra-fast charging version can charge from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes at -15°C, supporting high vehicle utilization in cold regions.
A high-temperature ultra-fast charging option is also available, capable of adding 60% driving range in just 18 minutes, while achieving a cell life of up to 5,000 cycles at 45°C. For long-haul applications, CATL offers a long-range version with battery pack capacities reaching 253 kWh, delivering up to 800 kilometers of range.
Battery swapping options enhance operational flexibility
The Tectrans II series further includes battery swap-compatible packs designed for commercial fleet efficiency. These include the #20 battery swap block with a 42 kWh capacity, the #25 block rated at 56 kWh, and the #35 block offering 81 kWh. Together, these options allow operators to balance range, charging time, and asset utilization while preparing for broader adoption of alternative battery chemistries in commercial electric vehicles.
The sodium-ion battery pack offers a capacity of 45 kWh and is aimed at small vans and micro-trucks used in urban and regional logistics. According to CATL, the battery can still be plugged in and charged at temperatures as low as -30°C, addressing a key limitation faced by many existing electric vehicle batteries in winter conditions.
CATL sodium-ion battery for light commercial vehicles leads cold-climate performance
CATL introduced the new sodium-ion solution as part of its Tectrans II series power batteries, which primarily targets light commercial vehicles. The low-temperature variant in this lineup is described by the company as the industry’s first mass-produced sodium battery for this vehicle segment, underlining its readiness for real-world deployment rather than pilot-scale use.
This launch represents CATL’s first major move in the sodium-ion battery sector this year. At a supplier conference held in Ningde, Fujian on December 28, the company stated that sodium-ion batteries are expected to see large-scale adoption from 2026 across battery swapping, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage. CATL also noted that sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries are set to form a complementary “dual-star” technology trend.
Tectrans II series expands beyond sodium-ion technology
Beyond the sodium-ion battery, the Tectrans II series includes multiple variants tailored to different operational needs. An ultra-fast charging version can charge from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes at -15°C, supporting high vehicle utilization in cold regions.
A high-temperature ultra-fast charging option is also available, capable of adding 60% driving range in just 18 minutes, while achieving a cell life of up to 5,000 cycles at 45°C. For long-haul applications, CATL offers a long-range version with battery pack capacities reaching 253 kWh, delivering up to 800 kilometers of range.
Battery swapping options enhance operational flexibility
The Tectrans II series further includes battery swap-compatible packs designed for commercial fleet efficiency. These include the #20 battery swap block with a 42 kWh capacity, the #25 block rated at 56 kWh, and the #35 block offering 81 kWh. Together, these options allow operators to balance range, charging time, and asset utilization while preparing for broader adoption of alternative battery chemistries in commercial electric vehicles.
Company Press Release
Click above to visit the official source.
Share: