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| Changan's Na-ion battery cold weather testing. |
Remember the great lithium crisis? Just two years ago, the price for a ton of battery-grade lithium carbonate soared past $80,000, sending shockwaves through the electric vehicle industry and raising fears of permanently expensive EVs. Then, in a stunning reversal, 2023 saw a precipitous crash, with prices plunging below $10,000 as new supply flooded the market and EV demand growth momentarily cooled.
The fallout was immediate and severe. Lithium mining projects were halted. And perhaps most notably, the burgeoning sodium-ion battery industry—touted as a cheaper, more abundant alternative to lithium-ion—saw many of its commercial production plans frozen in their tracks. With lithium suddenly dirt-cheap, the economic case for sodium-ion (Na-ion) technology evaporated overnight.
But in the volatile world of battery metals, the only constant is change. Fast forward to today, and lithium prices are rocketing once more. Driven by artificial supply squeezes—including regulatory mine closures in China—and booming global demand for energy storage and EV exports, prices have leapt from around $17,000 in December to over $26,000 per ton in January.
This dramatic shift has thrown the switch back to "go" for the next-generation battery tech waiting in the wings.
The Sodium-Ion Thaw: BYD and CATL Revive Projects
The two global battery behemoths, China's CATL and BYD, have responded swiftly. With lithium's affordability once again in question, both companies have reportedly unfrozen their commercial sodium-ion battery production projects.
The race isn't just about production lines; it's about proving the technology in real-world conditions. And CATL is taking that challenge literally into the deep freeze.
Into the Icebox: CATL's Sodium-Ion Batteries Face -35°C Test
While sodium-ion batteries promise advantages in cost, safety, and resource abundance, their performance in extreme cold has been a key question mark. CATL is now putting its flagship Naxtra sodium-ion battery packs to the ultimate test.
The company has begun cold-weather testing in retail passenger vehicles from Chinese automakers, including Changan. One specific test, detailed in a social media update from a Changan engineer, is being closely watched. As seen in this Weibo post from Changan's R&D team, preparations are underway for rigorous winter trials.
The setting is the Yakshi (Yakeshi) Hulunbuir winter testing ground in Inner Mongolia, where temperatures are currently plunging to a brutal -35°C (-31°F)—pushing close to the known limits for Na-ion battery charging performance.
Changan has announced it will reveal the detailed results of these tests, conducted on its Oshan series sedan equipped with CATL's Naxtra pack, on February 5. A full report on the vehicle's winter performance is anticipated, as noted in this industry preview from Autohome.
Why the Hype? The Promise of All-Weather, Affordable EVs
The intense focus on cold-weather performance is no accident. CATL recently unveiled a sodium-ion battery pack for commercial vehicles that boasts a 90% capacity retention rate at -40°C and the ability to charge normally at -30°C (-22°F).
This tackles a major consumer concern head-on and underscores the all-weather potential of sodium-ion chemistry. Beyond the cold, the advantages are compelling:
- Safety: No volatile lithium inside, reducing thermal runaway risk.
- Affordability: With lithium prices rising, the cost advantage over Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries is re-emerging.
- Supply Security: Sodium is ubiquitous, avoiding the geopolitical tensions of lithium and cobalt sourcing.
The ambition is vast. CATL's CEO has stated that sodium-ion batteries could replace up to half of the current LFP batteries in mass-market vehicles. This isn't just a niche solution; it's a potential mainstream powerhouse.
As the industry holds its breath for the February 5 test results, one thing is clear: The lithium price rollercoaster has inadvertently accelerated the arrival of our next battery future. The thaw in sodium-ion projects could soon lead to a freeze in range anxiety and high costs for EV drivers everywhere.
For drivers interested in the practical today, compact sodium-ion power is already finding its way into products like the AFERIY sodium-ion jump starter, available on Amazon, showcasing the technology's readiness for everyday use.