CATL’s Sodium-Ion Battery Clears China’s Toughest Safety Test

Battery powerhouse CATL has achieved a world first when its Naxtra sodium-ion battery has passed China’s new GB 38031-2025 safety standard, reports CarNewsChina.

The standard, set to take effect in July 2026, was created to prevent EV fires before they happen. It tests batteries under extreme heat, bottom impacts, and fast-charging stress.

 Independent trials by CATARC confirmed Naxtra’s safety at both cell and pack level.

This is more than a box tick for CATL. Sodium-ion tech could ease pressure on lithium supply, cut emissions in the battery supply chain, and make EVs more reliable in harsh climates. 

Naxtra keeps 90% of its capacity at -40°C, a big win for drivers in colder regions. It also packs 175 Wh/kg energy density, supports 5C charging, delivers up to 500 km range, and lasts over 10,000 cycles, indirectly rivaling lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Mass production is scheduled for December 2025, with first rollout in CATL’s Choco-swap EVs.

CATL’s swap network is also accelerating. In August, it added 105 new stations and activated 103, the first time it hit triple digits in both metrics. There are now 512 stations across 34 cities, with a target of 1,000 by end-2025.