CATL’s New Sodium Battery Lasts 5.8 Million Kilometres — 60% Cheaper Than Lithium

CATL has officially revealed detailed data on its next-generation sodium-ion battery — and some of the numbers are genuinely staggering. We’re talking about a battery chemistry that CATL claims can last up to 5.8 million kilometres, while also being around 60% cheaper than lithium-based alternatives. That’s not a lab demo or a concept slide either — this is being positioned for real-world mass production. In this video, I break down exactly what CATL has announced, what the cycle-life numbers really mean in practical terms, and why sodium-ion batteries could put serious pressure on lithium iron phosphate over the next few years. We’ll also look at energy density, cold-weather performance, cost structure, and where sodium-ion realistically fits — grid storage, entry-level EVs, and potentially even mainstream vehicles sooner than many people expect. There’s been a lot of exaggerated headlines around sodium-ion recently, so I wanted to slow this down, separate fact from hype, and explain why this announcement still matters — even without the clickbait. As always, I’m interested in what you think. Would you buy an EV with a sodium-ion battery if it meant lower cost and extreme longevity? Or does lithium still feel like the safer bet? ☕ Support the Channel:   / benalexxander   https://buymeacoffee.com/benalexxander 📲 Follow ben Alexxander: Facebook:   / benalexxander   Instagram:   / benalexxander   YouTube:    / @benalexxander   ⚖️ Copyright Disclaimer Some footage may have been used without prior permission from the owner. Sources credited where possible. Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 allows “fair use” for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. 📧 Contact: [email protected]