The World’s First Sodium-Powered Electric Vehicle! Changan Qiyuan A06 Sodium Battery Version Set for Debut

2026-06-09 | Calvin

After undergoing extreme cold calibration, national standard certification, and production ramp-up, the long-awaited commercialization of sodium-ion battery passenger vehicles has reached a milestone: the Changan Qiyuan A06 Sodium Battery Version is scheduled for official pricing announcement and mass-market delivery in late June 2026. It will be the world’s first compliant, licenseable, mass-produced household car powered by sodium-ion batteries, marking the transition of sodium-ion technology from laboratory experiments and low-speed vehicles into the mainstream new energy passenger car market.

This model is jointly developed by Changan Automobile and CATL, equipped with CATL’s Naxtra mass-produced sodium-ion batteries. The vehicle is built on Changan’s SDA intelligent vehicle platform, with a fully traceable implementation process. As early as February 2026, both parties completed rigorous testing at the Yakeshi Extreme Cold Test Base in Inner Mongolia, conducting 72 hours of uninterrupted road tests in temperatures ranging from -35°C to -40°C. Cold start, fast charging, and full-load heating remained stable, with actual low-temperature capacity retention exceeding 90%, effectively addressing the long-standing industry issues of halved winter range and difficult cold-weather charging faced by traditional lithium iron phosphate models. The vehicle has already been listed in the MIIT vehicle product catalog, passed all safety tests under the new GB38031-2025 national standard, and is eligible for license registration and new energy vehicle purchase tax exemptions, shedding the “concept car or prototype” label once and for all.

CATL’s “Naxtra” battery production line entered large-scale ramp-up in May. Both the Chief Scientist and Manufacturing Officer confirmed at Tech Day and industry summits that the Changan Qiyuan A06 is the first 2026 sodium-ion battery passenger car, with annual battery supply capacity secured to ensure availability for the new model.

Key Product Highlights: 45kWh Sodium Battery, 405km Range, Family-Oriented

1. Power and Range

The Qiyuan A06 Sodium Battery Version comes with a 45kWh sodium-ion battery pack, using third-generation CTP cell integration technology with system efficiency over 72%. The CLTC combined range is 405km. It features a rear-mounted 120kW permanent magnet synchronous motor with a peak torque of 260 N·m, paired with an 800V high-voltage fast-charging architecture. Fast charging can be performed without preheating even at -30°C, allowing rapid energy replenishment in just 30 minutes from a frozen state. This fully meets daily commuting and nearby travel needs. The vehicle’s energy consumption is as low as 11.3 kWh/100 km, translating to a cost of less than 0.08 CNY/km using off-peak residential electricity, offering excellent cost efficiency.

2. Space and Pricing

Positioned as an A+ class family electric sedan, it has a 2922mm wheelbase with generous rear passenger space. The trunk can accommodate two 28-inch suitcases, ideal for a family of three. Based on the pricing of the existing Qiyuan A06 gasoline and lithium versions, the sodium version’s official guide price ranges from 109,900 to 139,900 CNY. Compared to the same-range lithium iron phosphate version, the terminal price is reduced by 8%–12%, benefiting from abundant sodium resources and lower raw material costs, lowering the purchasing threshold for similar-range vehicles.

3. Safety Advantages

Sodium-ion batteries inherently offer superior chemical stability compared to lithium batteries. They do not catch fire or explode under extreme tests such as needle penetration, extrusion, or cutting. The battery pack is housed in a high-strength sealed case and has passed stringent safety tests, including bottom impact and extreme compression according to national standards, addressing the most critical safety concerns for household users.

Historically, limited lithium resources and volatile prices, coupled with poor low-temperature performance of lithium iron phosphate batteries, have restricted new energy vehicle adoption in Northeast and Northwest China’s extreme cold regions. Sodium resources are over 400 times more abundant than lithium, and the full raw material supply chain is domestic. Sodium-ion battery production costs are 20%–30% lower than lithium iron phosphate. With large-scale production, prices for mainstream 100,000 CNY-class commuter EVs are expected to drop further, promoting widespread adoption of new energy vehicles.

The Changan + CATL collaboration establishes a dual-chemistry battery strategy: lithium for long-range premium models, and sodium-ion for family commuter cars under 150,000 CNY, extreme cold northern regions, and urban ride-hailing. CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun has publicly stated that sodium-ion batteries could capture 30%–40% of the global power battery market in the future. The mass production and launch of the Qiyuan A06 mark the tangible beginning of this industry transformation.