CATL unveils 2nd-gen Shenxing ultra-fast charging, Naxin sodium-ion batteries

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 21, CATL unveiled two groundbreaking battery technologies at its Supertech Day. The second-generation Shenxing ultra-fast charging battery became the world's first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to offer both 800 kilometers of range and 12C peak charging capability. In addition, CATL introduced "Naxin," the world's first automotive-grade sodium-ion battery to enter mass production.

Themed around "supercharging" and "safety," the event spotlighted CATL's latest innovations aimed at pushing the boundaries of electric mobility.

CATL's Chief Technology Officer for passenger and commercial vehicle businesses in China, Gao Huan, announced that the second-generation Shenxing battery can deliver over 520 kilometers of driving range with just five minutes of charging.

Equipped with 12C ultra-fast charging technology, the new battery boasts a peak charging power exceeding 1.3 megawatts and enables an energy replenishment speed of 2.5 kilometers per second. The battery also performs well in cold conditions—requiring only 15 minutes to charge from 5% to 80% at -10°C—doubling the industry's current best. Besides, the battery maintains an output power of 830kW even in a low-charge state, making it compatible with megawatt-level charging stations.

Those leaps in performance are enabled by a new generation of super-crystalline graphite, significantly accelerating lithium-ion diffusion, and a dedicated smart electrolyte production line using nano-scale liquid-phase transmission to enhance SEI film formation and fast-charging efficiency.

On the safety front, CATL officially introduced the Freevoy dual-core battery architecture, which incorporates a dual-core layout and proprietary "self-forming anode" technology. Variants include sodium-iron, iron-iron, and ternary-iron/double-ternary dual-core batteries.

Gao Huan likened the design to a twin-engine aircraft, where two independent energy zones ensure continuous, stable, and safe power output. Even in cases of damage or thermal runaway, the battery's internal architecture allows for isolation, ensuring uninterrupted performance.

With battery safety becoming a focal point in the era of intelligent driving, CATL's Freevoy battery reflects the company's strategic focus on adapting battery design to meet the evolving safety demands of smart vehicles.

Also debuting at the event was the Naxin sodium-ion battery. According to Mr. Gao, the Naxin battery passed extreme abuse tests—including multi-axial compression, nail penetration, drilling, and sawing—without catching fire or exploding. It retains 90% of its energy even at -40°C and delivers a cell-level energy density of 175Wh/kg. Offering over 500 kilometers of battery-powered range and 200 kilometers in hybrid mode, the battery supports 10,000+ charge cycles and fast charging at up to 5C.

The first Naxin-powered product, a 24V integrated starter battery for heavy-duty trucks developed in partnership with FAW Jiefang, will enter mass production in June 2025. The Naxin power battery for EVs is slated to begin mass production in December 2025, with its first deployment planned for vehicles riding on CATL's battery-swappable "Choco-Swap" platform.