DT新材料·2026-02-05 16:07Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the launch of the world's first sodium battery mass-produced passenger vehicle by Changan Automobile, expected to be available in mid-2026, marking a significant milestone in the sodium battery market for passenger cars [1][3]. Group 1: Sodium Battery Development - 2026 is identified as the year for large-scale application of sodium batteries in the passenger vehicle market, with Changan Automobile being the first major automaker to fully embrace sodium batteries [3]. - Changan's brands, including Avita, Deep Blue, Qiyuan, and Gravity, will utilize CATL's sodium battery technology, which is branded as "Sodium New" [3]. - CATL plans to apply sodium batteries across various sectors, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage, establishing a dual development trend of "sodium-lithium" [3]. Group 2: Technical Advantages of Sodium Batteries - Sodium batteries are not a downgraded alternative to lithium batteries; they offer superior low-temperature performance and safety features, addressing concerns of some users regarding electric vehicles [3]. - For instance, the sodium battery-equipped vehicle can maintain a discharge power nearly three times higher than conventional lithium iron phosphate models at -30°C, with over 90% capacity retention at -40°C [4]. - The sodium battery's energy density reaches 175 Wh/kg, which is among the highest in the industry, and it is expected that the pure electric range could increase to 500 km or even 600 km in the future [6]. Group 3: Market Potential and Growth - The sodium battery industry is entering a rapid development phase, with global shipments projected to reach 9 GWh by 2025, a 150% increase year-on-year [6]. - By 2030, the global market for sodium batteries in energy storage is expected to reach 580 GWh, while the automotive sector's market size will exceed 410 GWh [6]. - The average price of sodium cells is anticipated to decrease from approximately 0.52 yuan/Wh in 2025 to 0.25 yuan/Wh by 2030, indicating a trend towards cost-effectiveness [6]. Group 4: Strategic Partnerships and Infrastructure - CATL's sodium battery technology is designed to be adaptable across multiple brands, enhancing flexibility and performance for Changan's upcoming sodium battery models [7]. - Since starting research on sodium batteries in 2016, CATL has invested nearly 10 billion yuan and tested around 300,000 battery cells by 2025 [7]. - CATL plans to establish over 3,000 chocolate battery swap stations across more than 140 cities in China by 2026, facilitating quick energy replenishment for users [7].