China’s Catl launches new EV -Natrium battery
The Chinese battery giant Catl has launched a new sodium ion battery on Monday that will restructure according to the electric car industry, and a new system to combine two battery technologies in one car.
The company produces more than a third of all worldwide batteries of electric vehicles (EV) and works with major brands, including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen.
Sodium batteries are seen as a cheaper and in some respects safer alternative to the lithium ion batteries used on a large scale in both electronics and electric vehicles, but form a fire risk if damaged.
“We will reach mass production towards the end of the year. It will restructure the entire industry,” Catl’s Chief Marketing Officer Luo Jian told a press conference in Shanghai on Monday.
The production of the sodium batteries will start in June, starting with small starter batteries for vehicles with heavy goods under the Nxtra brand. This new battery is expected to offer a big advantage for starting vehicles in cold weather.
The production of large batteries for electric and hybrid cars will follow in December this year.
The sodium batteries have “come out of the laboratories and are now ready for the production of a commercial scale,” Catl CEO Robin Zeng told the press conference.
Zeng said he sees sodium batteries that replace half of the market for lithium, iron and phosphate batteries.
Although sodium-ion technology has been around for decades, it has lagged behind in the performance in lithium-ion batteries. But renewed interest in technology means that sodium ion batteries can be manufactured without certain expensive metals being needed.
Catl’s Noxtra batteries promise a driving range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) for electric cars.
A few hours before the opening of the Shanghai Motor Show on Monday, Catl also launched the second generation of his Shenxing battery, which would be mounted in 67 cars this year, belonging to Chinese brands of Zeekr, Nio and Avatr.
The fast-loading battery has an 800 kilometer driving range and a range of 520 kilometers regained in just five minutes loading time than its Chinese rival BYD.
Catl is counting on the development of battery exchange systems, such as those of his partner Nio, to distribute his new technologies.
But heavy rates imposed by US President Donald Trump to China can increase the price of parts and cars.
CATL managers refused to comment on rates.
The US Department of Defense has included CATL on a list of companies that accuses connecting with the Chinese army, a claim that is refused by Catl.
The group was also presented on the Shanghai car caron as its new double battery system for EVs.
The technical director of the GAO Huan company said that the double system will offer more safety, especially for self -driving cars, by preventing failure if one of the two batteries Storte.
A production date for the double batteries, which have been developing for five years, still has to be announced. But one car manufacturer already uses the double system in the design of an autonomous car, said Gao.
STSZ-EW/AK/DHW/DW
