January 30, 2026
TLDR: CATL launched commercial production of the world’s first mass production sodium-ion battery for vehicles on January 22. The 45 kWh Tectrans II platform targets light commercial vehicles now, with passenger EVs getting 500 km range packs by Q2. Sodium-ion won’t replace lithium-ion for performance applications, but it captures cost-sensitive segments while eliminating dependence on lithium, cobalt, and nickel supply chains.
The first sodium-ion batteries just rolled off CATL’s production line. The lithium supply chain should pay attention.
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