Quick Highlights
- CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery passes China’s new GB 38031-2025 EV safety certification.
- Certification tests conducted by CATARC confirm cell- and pack-level safety.
- Naxtra battery delivers 175Wh/kg energy density, 10,000+ cycle life, and -40°C performance.
- CATL expands its Chocolate battery swapping network, targeting 1,000 stations by 2025.
CATL’s Naxtra Sodium-Ion Battery Becomes First to Meet New GB 38031-2025 EV Safety Standard
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has achieved another industry milestone. On September 5, CATL's Naxtra sodium-ion battery successfully passed the GB 38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles” certification, becoming the first sodium-ion battery in the world to meet this stringent standard.
The GB 38031-2025 standard, which will officially take effect on July 1, 2026, is designed to address one of the biggest challenges in electric mobility—battery safety. With stricter requirements across thermal diffusion, bottom impact resistance, and fast-charging durability, the regulation aims to eliminate fire risks at the root and improve long-term reliability in EV batteries.
CATARC-Verified Safety Performance
The certification was awarded following third-party testing by the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre’s Automotive Testing Centre (CATARC). During the evaluation, the Naxtra sodium-ion battery demonstrated robust safety performance at both the cell and battery pack levels, passing all required tests.
This achievement not only validates sodium-ion technology’s potential as a viable alternative to lithium-ion but also positions CATL as a leader in shaping the future of safe, sustainable, and low-carbon energy storage.
Technical Advantages of the Naxtra Battery
CATL’s sodium-ion solution offers multiple breakthroughs compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries:
- Energy Density: The Naxtra battery reaches 175Wh/kg, on par with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
- Cold Weather Resilience: It maintains 90% usable capacity even at -40°C, making it ideal for high-latitude and cold-climate regions.
- Fast Charging: With a 5C peak charging rate, EVs can recharge quickly, enhancing convenience.
- Longevity: The battery supports over 10,000 charging cycles, ensuring long-term durability.
- Sustainability: By reducing reliance on lithium resources, sodium-ion technology helps build a lower-carbon battery ecosystem.
These advantages make sodium-ion batteries particularly attractive for regions with extreme climates, as well as for industries seeking alternatives to lithium amid resource constraints.
Roadmap to Commercialization
CATL revealed in April that the Naxtra sodium-ion battery will enter mass production in December 2025. The first rollout will take place in Choco-swap electric vehicle models, leveraging CATL’s growing battery-swapping business.
The battery’s 500km range capability also makes it competitive with existing lithium solutions, while its safety edge under the new standard sets it apart as a next-generation choice for electric mobility.
Growth of the Chocolate Battery Swap Network
In parallel with its sodium-ion breakthrough, CATL continues to expand its Chocolate battery swapping network. In August 2025, the company added 105 new stations and activated 103, marking the first time it surpassed the “hundred mark” in both categories within a single month.
As of the end of August, CATL operates 512 Chocolate stations across 34 cities in China. With a goal of reaching 1,000 stations by 2025, the company is rapidly strengthening its infrastructure to support flexible, fast, and scalable EV charging solutions.
A Milestone for Sodium-Ion Adoption
The successful certification of the Naxtra battery represents a turning point for the global EV industry. By passing the GB 38031-2025 standard, CATL has proven that sodium-ion technology is not only commercially viable but also capable of meeting the strictest safety benchmarks.
As sodium-ion mass production nears, this breakthrough could accelerate EV adoption in cold regions, reduce dependence on scarce lithium resources, and drive the industry toward safer and greener electrification.
