CATLs low cost cold weather battery ready for 2026

[chuckChuck]

The latest electric sodium (Na-ion) battery tech, led by CATL's Naxtra, focuses on low cost, excellent cold-weather performance (maintaining capacity at -40°C), long life (>10,000 cycles), and rapid charging (80% in 15 mins), achieving 175 Wh/kg energy density, rivaling LFP lithium batteries. Key innovations include non-expansion anodes for durability, with mass production ramping up for affordable city cars in 2026, significantly lowering EV costs and dependence on lithium.


Key Advancements & Features

• Energy Density: Naxtra cells hit 175 Wh/kg, comparable to LFP, with potential to reach 200 Wh/kg for longer-range EVs.
• Temperature Performance: Excellent performance in extreme cold (-40°C) and heat (+60°C), crucial for cold climates.
• Fast Charging: Supports 5C rates (80% charge in under 10 mins), validated by China's new safety standards.
• Longevity: Projected life of over 10,000 cycles, retaining 80% capacity, potentially lasting millions of kilometers.
• Cost: Significantly cheaper (half the cost of LFP) due to abundant sodium, boosting EV affordability.
• Safety: Enhanced thermal stability and fire safety compared to lithium-ion, passing strict safety certifications.

Non-Expansion Anode: Prevents dimensional changes during charging, improving cycle life.

• Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI): High-toughness SEI technology ensures better durability and corrosion resistance.
• High-Safety Electrolyte: Provides thermal stability and forms protective layers within the cell.

Mass Production: CATL starts mass production of Naxtra in late 2025 for vehicle integration in 2026.

• Target Market: Focus on affordable city cars, entry-level EVs, and cold-climate regions where sodium's benefits are maximized.
• Broader Applications: Also suitable for grid storage, microgrids, and renewable energy projects.

[Hamloc]

Ford has decided to reduce the number of EV models it builds and retool one battery plant in the U.S. to make batteries for grid storage instead of EV’s. $19.5 billion write down related to EV’s. Reality bites.

[chuckChuck]

North American manufacturers become a technology backwater as China takes over the the manufacturing of cars driven by innovation and lowers costs.

Lower cost batteries that have longer ranges will pretty much make many ICE cars obsolete in the future.

[Hamloc]

The only country who benefits from legislated electrification is China.

[chuckChuck]

China's auto industry is expanding globally and rapidly.

Yes, China leads in EV innovation due to massive government support, dominance in the battery supply chain (especially LFP tech), rapid charging infrastructure growth, and fierce domestic competition fostering advanced features like large screens, fast charging (800V), and ADAS at lower prices, making Chinese EVs globally competitive and setting trends in production, sales, and technology.


Key Areas of Chinese EV Leadership:

• Production & Market Share: China produces over 70% of the world's EVs, dominates sales (over 66% globally in 2024), and accounts for 40% of global exports.
• Battery Technology & Supply Chain: Chinese firms like CATL and BYD control significant battery cell production and refining of key minerals (lithium, cobalt). They champion LFP batteries
• Charging Infrastructure: Strong government pushes for "new infrastructure" are creating dense charging networks, with plans to nearly double capacity by 2027.
• Advanced Features & Affordability: Chinese brands offer tech-rich EVs (large screens, advanced ADAS, 800V systems) at much lower prices than Western counterparts, appealing to young consumers.
• Policy & Ecosystem: Subsidies, license plate advantages for EVs in major cities, and investment in charging networks have created a powerful domestic ecosystem.

Impact:

• Chinese automakers are expanding globally, challenging established Western brands with innovative, affordable, and feature-packed EVs.
• This innovation is pushing the entire global EV industry forward, especially in areas like charging speed and in-car tech.

[shtferbrains]

Do you think they should maintain the 2035 EV mandates in Canada and continue to fund and subsidize Ev goals Chuck?
Are they in the best interest of North American automakers?

Ford received approximately $13 billion in direct EV division subsidies.
Not including subsidies of about $7500 to purchasers of EV's paid by taxpayers that didn't buy them.

Ford has never been close to making profits on Ev production.

[Hamloc]

China's auto industry is expanding globally and rapidly.

Yes, China leads in EV innovation due to massive government support, dominance in the battery supply chain (especially LFP tech), rapid charging infrastructure growth, and fierce domestic competition fostering advanced features like large screens, fast charging (800V), and ADAS at lower prices, making Chinese EVs globally competitive and setting trends in production, sales, and technology.


Key Areas of Chinese EV Leadership:

• Production & Market Share: China produces over 70% of the world's EVs, dominates sales (over 66% globally in 2024), and accounts for 40% of global exports.
• Battery Technology & Supply Chain: Chinese firms like CATL and BYD control significant battery cell production and refining of key minerals (lithium, cobalt). They champion LFP batteries
• Charging Infrastructure: Strong government pushes for "new infrastructure" are creating dense charging networks, with plans to nearly double capacity by 2027.
• Advanced Features & Affordability: Chinese brands offer tech-rich EVs (large screens, advanced ADAS, 800V systems) at much lower prices than Western counterparts, appealing to young consumers.
• Policy & Ecosystem: Subsidies, license plate advantages for EVs in major cities, and investment in charging networks have created a powerful domestic ecosystem.

Impact:

• Chinese automakers are expanding globally, challenging established Western brands with innovative, affordable, and feature-packed EVs.
• This innovation is pushing the entire global EV industry forward, especially in areas like charging speed and in-car tech.

All China is doing is putting more and more North Americans and Europeans out of work. China dominates the ownership and control of the minerals required to build batteries. North America has more expensive labour, electricity, raw materials. Countries like Canada take years and years to move approvals forward for resource production. In a cold country like Canada hybrid vehicles offer a much better alternative.

[chuckChuck]

We can't do it without Chinese competition which means removal of the tariffs. Which is what Moe and Smith have asked for to open up ag markets in China

Inviting China companies to build EVs in Canada would be a compromise. They are building capacity in Europe.

The US and the big 3 are scared of Chinese competition. As a result politics is getting inthe way of the market. Trump wants to protect the oil market for his petro buddies and supporters.

The US is interfering in the market just like China. State control of many things is the Trump plan.

Canada should invest in a more extensive charging system as EVs will soon be lower costs than ICE cars.

[shtferbrains]

Ford sold 150,000, F150 pickup trucks last year.
Less that 5000 were the EV Lightning model.
1/2 of what the sold inthe prior yr.

Tesla may be to only EV maker in the world that is profitable ?

Do you think Musk might set up production in Canada, Chuck?

[chuckChuck]

Better lower cost batteries are already here. And batteries will continue to get better.

EVs will eventually take over much of the market.