Chinese battery giant CATL said it expects its sodium‑ion packs to appear in between 10,000 and 20,000 electric vehicles this year, for major OEMs. The estimate came from a senior official during a Bloomberg Television interview at the World Economic Forum in Dalian. Deploying sodium cells lets automakers sidestep recent lithium price spikes and diversify power‑train sourcing.

Chief Manufacturing Officer Ni Jun highlighted that the cells retain capacity down to –20°C, with some designs tolerating –30°C, a claim he repeated on the Dalian stage. In parallel, CATL unveiled the TENER sodium‑battery storage system, slated for delivery in China this September and a global rollout beginning June 2027, for grid‑scale projects. The unit promises longer life and better temperature resilience.

CATL’s dual‑track push—advancing both lithium and sodium chemistries—signals a strategic hedge as lithium prices rebound after a year‑long slump. By offering a lower‑cost alternative that works in extreme cold, the company positions itself to capture market share in northern China and Europe, where winter performance drives purchasing decisions. The move could reshape battery supply chains this year across the sector.