China’s Changan is preparing to launch the world’s first electric car powered by a sodium-ion battery, designed to perform in extreme cold.
 |
| Changan’s sodium-ion battery EV promises strong cold-weather performance, stable power output and reduced lithium dependence. Image: CH |
Beijing, China – February 11, 2026:
Chinese automaker Changan is preparing to launch what it describes as the world’s first electric vehicle powered by a sodium-ion battery, marking a potentially significant shift in battery technology within the global EV industry.
The upcoming model, the Nevo A06, will use a sodium-ion battery developed by Chinese battery giant CATL. The vehicle is expected to reach the market by mid-year, positioning China at the forefront of an emerging alternative to lithium-based energy storage.
One of the most notable advantages of sodium-ion technology is its ability to function in extreme cold. In China’s Inner Mongolia region, where winter temperatures frequently plunge below the normal operating thresholds of electric vehicles, sodium-ion batteries recently underwent performance testing.
According to reported results, the battery retained more than 90 percent of its original capacity at minus 40 degrees Celsius. By comparison, conventional lithium iron phosphate batteries often struggle to maintain efficiency in such conditions.
The sodium-ion battery can reportedly charge at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius and operate in environments reaching minus 50 degrees Celsius. If verified at commercial scale, this capability could make sodium-ion EVs particularly attractive in northern China, Europe, North America and other cold-climate markets.
The Nevo A06 is expected to deliver a driving range of approximately 250 miles on a single charge. While not groundbreaking compared to high-end lithium-based EVs, the range places it firmly within the competitive mid-market segment.
Changan claims the sodium-ion system provides more stable power output than lithium iron phosphate batteries in freezing temperatures. Stability in extreme climates addresses one of the most persistent consumer concerns surrounding EV adoption: performance loss in winter.
Industry analysts suggest that sodium-ion technology could usher in a “dual chemistry” phase in electric vehicle manufacturing. Rather than relying exclusively on lithium-ion batteries, automakers may increasingly tailor battery chemistry to geography and usage.
Vehicles designed for colder regions or cost-sensitive markets could utilize sodium-ion systems, while high-performance or long-range models might continue using advanced lithium chemistries.
This diversification could reduce pressure on lithium supply chains, which have become strategically sensitive due to concentrated mining and processing capacity in a limited number of countries.
Sodium’s abundance is one of the technology’s most compelling advantages. The element is estimated to be roughly 1,000 times more abundant globally than lithium. This reduces dependency risks and may stabilize raw material pricing over time.
Additionally, sodium-ion batteries are considered less prone to overheating compared to some lithium-based alternatives, potentially lowering safety risks. If production scales efficiently, sodium-ion technology could contribute to more affordable electric vehicles, accelerating EV adoption in emerging markets.
China has already established dominance in lithium battery manufacturing. By advancing sodium-ion technology, Chinese companies such as CATL and Changan may be seeking to secure early leadership in the next generation of battery innovation.
However, questions remain about energy density, long-term durability and large-scale manufacturing costs. While sodium-ion batteries offer clear advantages in cold climates and raw material supply, they generally have lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, which may limit their use in high-performance or ultra-long-range vehicles.
Experts suggest sodium-ion batteries are unlikely to completely replace lithium-ion systems in the near term. Instead, they may complement existing technologies, broadening the EV ecosystem and providing flexibility across different markets.
If Changan’s Nevo A06 launch proceeds as planned and performs as advertised, it could mark a turning point in battery diversification—particularly for regions where freezing temperatures have slowed EV adoption.
As the global automotive industry races toward electrification, the question may not be whether sodium-ion batteries replace lithium, but whether they redefine how battery technology is matched to climate, cost and strategic supply considerations.