Sodium-ion EV battery breakthrough delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range

China's BAIC Group announced a sodium-ion EV battery prototype achieving 450 km CLTC range, 11-minute ultra-fast charging (4C), and over 170 Wh/kg energy density, with strong performance from -40°C to 60°C. This follows CATL and Changan's launch of the first mass-produced sodium-ion EV, with CATL's Naxtra cells reaching 175 Wh/kg. Global sodium-ion battery shipments hit 9 GWh last year (up 150%), and are projected to exceed 1,000 GWh within four years as manufacturers pursue lower-cost alternatives to lithium.