CATL Signs Three-Year Sodium-Ion Battery Supply Deal with Beijing HyperStrong Technology

Gate News message, April 28 — CATL has signed a three-year agreement to supply 60 gigawatt-hours of sodium-ion batteries to Beijing HyperStrong Technology, a Chinese power equipment maker, marking the company's first strategic partnership for the chemistry.

CATL plans to begin mass production of sodium-ion batteries in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company has invested nearly 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.5 billion) in sodium-ion research and development since 2016. CATL's sodium-ion cells feature the same enclosure dimensions as its lithium-ion products, reducing adaptation costs for partners. Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium and operate across a temperature range of -40°C to 70°C with energy density around 160 watt-hours per kilogram.

The International Energy Agency has identified 2026 as a potential turning point for sodium-ion technology as it begins capturing demand from lithium-ion batteries. Sodium offers protection against lithium price volatility and geopolitical risks, as sodium feedstocks are widely available while Chinese firms control much of the lithium supply chain. Sinopec and LG Chem expect China to account for over 90% of global sodium-ion battery production by 2030. CATL is also collaborating with Changan Automobile on sodium-ion passenger vehicles, with a mass-produced model expected to launch in mid-2026.