Breaking through the extreme cold barrier, CATL releases its first mass-produced sodium battery for light commercial use.

On January 22, 2026, CATL officially released the "Tianxing II Light Commercial Full-Scenario Customized Series Solution". Among them, the low-temperature battery, as the first mass-produced sodium-ion battery in the light commercial field, has become a key link with industry breakthrough significance in this technology layout.

In the process of popularizing new energy commercial vehicles across the country, extreme low temperature environment has always been a difficult technical bottleneck to overcome. The mass production and application of sodium batteries marks that the industry chain is moving from "solving the problem of whether or not it exists" to "precisely breaking through the pain points".

I. First Sodium Battery Debut: Providing a Deterministic Solution for Extremely Cold Operations

CATL's Tianxing II light commercial low-temperature version is directly designed for transportation scenarios in high-altitude and cold regions. It features a 45 kWh sodium-ion battery system, suitable for small and medium-sized vans, micro-trucks, and other vehicle types. Its core value lies in completely overcoming the limitations imposed by low temperatures on battery performance.

Significantly improved low-temperature performance: At -20℃, the battery capacity remains above 92%; even when the cells are completely frozen at -30℃, it still supports plug-and-charge without preheating.

Power guarantee under extreme working conditions: Under the same low temperature conditions, even if the battery charge is only 10%, the vehicle can still climb a 10° slope when fully loaded, meeting the transportation needs of mountainous areas and icy and snowy roads.

Enhanced safety redundancy: The sodium-ion battery cell did not catch fire or explode during extreme safety tests such as sawing, drilling, and multi-directional extrusion. It could still discharge normally after being sawed off, providing a higher level of safety protection for complex working environments in high-altitude and cold regions.

From a technological perspective, the mass production of sodium batteries is not only an innovation in materials systems, but also a strategic supplement to the "all-weather adaptability" of commercial vehicle operations. Its launch signifies that new energy commercial vehicles now possess the technological foundation to cover the entire national market, especially providing targeted solutions for traditionally electrification-deficient regions such as Northeast and Northwest China.

II. Performance Customization for Diverse Scenarios: Supercharging, Long Battery Life, and High Temperature Adaptation

Building upon sodium batteries' ability to address the challenges of low temperatures, CATL has simultaneously launched differentiated battery solutions for other typical operating scenarios, forming a technology matrix:

Supercharging version: Designed for high-frequency urban delivery scenarios, this version supports fast charging from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes at -15℃, with charging efficiency improved by approximately 30% compared to the previous generation. Simultaneously, the overall discharge power is increased by 30%, enabling high-speed driving at 100km/h and climbing a 15° steep slope under the same low-temperature, fully loaded conditions. The cell cycle life is increased to 8000 cycles, corresponding to an additional 80,000 kilometers of vehicle operation over its entire lifespan, reducing ton-kilometer costs in the long term.

Long-Range Version: Reshaping the Economic Model of Intercity Trunk Lines. Equipped with the world's first lightweight commercial super-hybrid chemistry battery cell, combining the advantages of ternary lithium and lithium iron phosphate, achieving high energy density while ensuring safety. The battery pack has a capacity of 253kWh, the largest single pack in the industry, achieving a real-world range of 800km, covering mainstream intercity routes. Through the "Taishan PACK" architecture, the battery pack weight is reduced by more than 260kg for the same capacity, and combined with a 10-year/1 million km warranty and a zero-capacity commitment in the first year, long-term maintenance and replacement costs are reduced.

High-Temperature Supercharging Version: Addressing the Pain Points of Last-Mile Logistics Cost Sensitivity. Targeting scenarios with fluctuating delivery schedules and fragmented recharging times, such as delivery stations, this battery supports peak 4C supercharging, replenishing up to 60% charge in as little as 18 minutes. Its "high-temperature side reaction self-suppression technology" maintains a 5000-cycle lifespan even when the cell temperature reaches 45℃, while simultaneously reducing the complexity of the vehicle's thermal management system, achieving an additional reduction of approximately 5% in annual charging costs.

III. Software and Service Collaboration: Management Upgrade from "Battery Hardware" to "Operating Assets"

The "Battery Manager" Tianxing Edition App, launched simultaneously, extends the battery from a power component into a digitally manageable asset. Through three main functions—transparent status, proactive early warning, and scenario-based charging—it achieves: real-time monitoring of battery health and revenue data; proactive early warning of battery risks and linkage with the after-sales system (supporting 3-hour engineer on-site support); and provides three charging modes: standard, healthy, and emergency, adapting to different operational rhythms.

In addition, CATL also introduced its battery swapping solution at the press conference – the CATL Tianxing II Light Commercial Vehicle Battery Swapping Edition. This solution includes three standard battery packs: 20#-42kWh, 25#-56kWh, and 35#-81kWh, compatible with all light commercial vehicle models, achieving precise adaptation to specific needs. Currently, more than 20 light commercial vehicle models have been equipped with battery swapping packs, providing logistics drivers with more vehicle purchase options.

Summary: From standardized supply to scenario-based technology equality

CATL's latest announcement essentially represents a comprehensive innovation in chemical systems, structural design, and software management, propelling new energy commercial vehicle technology from "universal access to single products" to "precise matching across various scenarios." The mass production of sodium batteries not only overcomes the final hurdle in promoting electrification in extremely cold regions but also sends a clear signal: commercial vehicle electrification has entered a stage of deep adaptation to specific scenarios, requiring technological reserves to cover the real needs of all climates and operating conditions across the country.

As CATL's Chief Technology Officer Gao Huan stated, "We are transforming cutting-edge technology into power solutions that are truly adapted to every mileage and every operational scenario." CATL will leverage the synergistic power of "hardware + software + services" to help partners and end-users gain more certain benefits.