September 9th， according to Fast Technology， CATL has officially announced that its sodium-ion “Na New” battery has successfully passed the GBT 38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Traction Battery Systems of Electric Vehicles” (hereinafter referred to as the “New National Standard”) certification. This marks a significant milestone as it is the world’s first sodium-ion battery to achieve this crucial certification.
The New National Standard is slated for official implementation on July 1， 2026. Its primary objective is to proactively eliminate the risk of spontaneous combustion in electric vehicles by imposing stringent safety requirements across multiple dimensions， including thermal runaway prevention， bottom impact resistance， and fast-charging cycle durability.
In rigorous third-party testing conducted by the China Automotive Center’s New Energy Testing Center， CATL’s Na New battery demonstrated exceptional safety performance at both the cell and battery pack levels， successfully passing all required tests. This independent verification provides strong substantiation of the battery’s reliability and safety features.
The advent of sodium-ion batteries like CATL’s Na New battery is poised to significantly reduce reliance on lithium resources， fostering a safer and more environmentally friendly battery industry ecosystem. Furthermore， a key advantage of this technology is its robust performance in low-temperature environments， a critical factor for the wider adoption of electric vehicles in northern regions and other high-latitude areas where extreme cold can severely impact battery efficiency.
Achieving the New National Standard certification represents a vital step towards the large-scale commercialization and widespread adoption of sodium-ion batteries， bringing this advanced technology closer to consumers.
CATL officially unveiled its sodium-ion power battery at a press conference on April 21st of this year. At the time of the announcement， the company indicated that mass production would commence in December， with the batteries being suitable for both hybrid and pure electric vehicle applications. This timeline suggests a relatively swift transition from announcement to market availability.
CATL’s sodium-ion battery boasts an industry-leading energy density of 175 Wh/kg. This translates to a hybrid electric range exceeding 200 kilometers and a pure electric range surpassing 500 kilometers. The battery supports ultra-fast charging at 5C and offers an impressive cycle life of 10，000 cycles. These specifications position it as a competitive alternative to current lithium-ion technologies， particularly given its potential cost advantages and improved safety profile.
The safety performance of sodium-ion batteries is notably superior to that of lithium-ion batteries. CATL’s Na New battery has undergone extreme testing， including multi-directional extrusion， acupuncture penetration， and electric drill penetration， as well as battery cutting. In all these rigorous tests， the battery demonstrated exceptional stability， remaining free from fire or explosion. This enhanced safety is a significant factor for consumer confidence and regulatory approval.
Crucially， this technology excels in cold weather conditions. Actual tests have shown that in a -30 degree Celsius environment， the battery can charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes， maintaining 93% of its usable capacity. Even at a 10% state of charge (SOC) in a depleted state， it can sustain a high-speed drive at 120 km/h. Furthermore， in extremely cold conditions as low as -40 degrees Celsius， the charging and discharging capabilities remain remarkably robust， with the battery still capable of supporting 120 km/h high-speed driving at a 10% SOC. This exceptional performance in frigid temperatures makes it a highly viable option for regions with harsh winter climates.
