CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, has just revealed a potentially game-changing innovation: Naxtra, a new sodium-ion battery that could outlast the car it powers — maybe even several cars.
According to early performance data, this next-gen battery is rated for up to 10,000 charge cycles. That translates to a jaw-dropping 3.6 million miles of driving — more than 10 times the lifespan of today’s lithium-ion EV batteries. For comparison, even the most reliable EVs today typically max out around 300,000 to 500,000 miles before battery degradation becomes an issue.
But that’s not all. Naxtra is non-flammable, cheaper to produce, and operates efficiently in extreme temperatures — from -40°C to +60°C. It’s already in production, not just a lab concept. And it’s set to power over 30 EV models from six Chinese automakers by 2026.
Salt Is the New Lithium
So why sodium? Unlike lithium, sodium is abundant, widely available, and easy to extract — even from seawater. That makes it more environmentally friendly and less reliant on global mining chains.
CATL’s Naxtra batteries blend sodium and lithium cells, with smart energy management software balancing the output. The result? A solid 175 Wh/kg energy density — close to today’s LFP batteries — and suitable for real-world EV applications.
The cost is perhaps the most exciting part: $10/kWh. That’s 90% less than current lithium-ion batteries. A Model 3-sized pack could drop from $7,000 to just $700.
Reddit Reacts: A Battery for Generations?
The Reddit community quickly chimed in with excitement and curiosity. Many users celebrated its potential for home storage, noting 30 years of daily cycling would make solar + battery systems far more accessible.
Others raised questions:
- Can it charge as fast?
- How bulky are the packs?
- Will the cost stay low at scale?
Despite the debate, most agreed: if even half of this proves true, it’s a revolution.
Why This Changes Everything
EVs already outlast gas cars. But a low-cost, million-mile battery? That could turn EVs into forever vehicles — and power a cleaner grid while doing it.
And it’s coming in 2026.
