CATL

CATL dominates the global sodium-ion battery race in 2026, with unmatched production scale, technology breadth, and R&D investment. The company holds ~37% of the global lithium-ion market and has leveraged that infrastructure to mass-produce sodium-ion faster than any rival, including #2 BYD. Its April 2025 Naxtra family delivers 175 Wh/kg—competitive with mainstream LFP and enabling 500+ km EV ranges. The April 2026 BESS cell offers 300+ Ah, 160 Wh/kg, 15,000 cycles at 80% retention, and 97% efficiency across -40°C to 70°C. CATL resolved four major manufacturing challenges by 2026, backed by nearly 10 billion yuan (~$1.45 billion) in sodium-ion R&D. Partnerships with Changan, GAC, and JD.com underscore its lead, with CATL projecting 30-40% global battery market share for sodium-ion.