Changan Accelerates Intelligent Mobility and Energy Innovation with Global Sodium-Ion Battery Strategy and 2026 Testing Program
Changan Automobile has taken a significant step forward in its global technology roadmap with the official launch of its SDA Intelligence Update and Global Sodium-Ion Battery Strategy, unveiled during a high-profile release event in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia. Set against one of the most extreme natural testing environments in the world, the event also marked the formal opening of Changan’s 2026 Global Testing Season, underscoring the company’s commitment to validating next-generation technologies under real-world, high-stress conditions.
The dual announcement reflects Changan’s long-term vision to integrate advanced energy solutions, intelligent vehicle systems, and rigorous global validation into a unified development framework. By combining battery innovation with AI-driven vehicle intelligence, the automaker aims to deliver safer, more resilient, and more adaptable vehicles for markets worldwide.
Advancing Sodium-Ion Batteries as a Strategic Energy Pillar
At the core of the event was Changan’s global sodium-ion battery strategy, a key component of its broader battery technology portfolio. Sodium-ion batteries are increasingly viewed as a promising complement to lithium-ion technology, particularly for applications requiring enhanced safety, cost efficiency, and stable performance in extreme environments.
Tan Benhong, Chief Brand Officer of China Changan Automobile Group, emphasized that sodium-ion batteries will play a growing role in Changan’s future product lineup. According to Tan, the company is accelerating the industrialization and vehicle-level application of sodium-ion technology and plans to introduce new sodium-ion battery–equipped models across multiple Changan brands in the near term.
“From extreme conditions to everyday driving, every pursuit of technological limits at Changan ultimately serves one purpose—protecting our users’ daily journeys,” Tan said during the event. His remarks highlighted Changan’s philosophy that innovation must be validated not only in laboratories, but also in the harshest real-world conditions drivers may encounter.
Proven Stability in Extreme Cold Conditions
One of the most compelling demonstrations at the Yakeshi event was the performance of Changan’s sodium-ion battery systems in ultra-low-temperature environments. Testing results showed that the batteries maintained stable discharge capability at temperatures below minus 40 degrees Celsius, a threshold that presents significant challenges for conventional battery chemistries.
Cold-weather performance has long been a critical concern for electric and electrified vehicles, particularly in northern regions and high-altitude markets. By validating sodium-ion systems in such extreme cold, Changan is addressing a key barrier to broader EV adoption in winter-prone geographies.
Beyond performance, intrinsic safety remains a defining advantage of sodium-ion technology. To validate safety at the highest level, Changan partnered with CATL, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers, to conduct a series of extreme abuse tests that exceeded existing national safety standards. These tests included compression, nail penetration, drilling, and full cutting under full-charge conditions.
In all scenarios, the sodium-ion battery systems demonstrated exceptional safety characteristics, with no fire, explosion, smoke, or thermal runaway observed. These results reinforce sodium-ion batteries as a robust and inherently safe solution, particularly for applications where thermal stability is critical.
SDA Intelligence: From Passive Protection to Proactive Control
In parallel with its battery strategy, Changan showcased the latest evolution of SDA Intelligence, its integrated intelligent vehicle architecture designed to elevate safety from a reactive function to a proactive, AI-driven capability.
Unlike traditional safety systems that respond after a loss of control has occurred, SDA Intelligence leverages real-time perception, intelligent decision-making, and coordinated vehicle control to anticipate risks and actively stabilize the vehicle before situations escalate.
The Yakeshi launch provided a live demonstration of SDA Intelligence under real-world extreme-cold conditions. Vehicles from Changan’s major brands—including AVATR, the CS Series, CHANGAN DEEPAL, and CHANGAN NEVO—were subjected to a variety of challenging scenarios on ice and snow, replicating conditions that drivers may encounter in winter climates.
Real-World Validation Across Multiple Vehicle Platforms
Several high-profile demonstrations illustrated how SDA Intelligence performs under stress:
- AVATR 12 completed an emergency lane-change maneuver on an icy surface following a simulated tire blowout at 80 km/h, maintaining stability and directional control throughout the maneuver.
- CHANGAN NEVO Q05 participated in an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) challenge on low-friction ice, successfully identifying obstacles and executing a controlled emergency stop without loss of stability.
- CHANGAN DEEPAL L06 demonstrated rapid vehicle posture correction during a high-speed circular drift challenge on snow, showcasing precise coordination between chassis systems, powertrain, and electronic controls.
These demonstrations reinforced Changan’s belief that intelligent systems must be validated not only through simulations, but also through full-scale, high-risk physical testing that reflects real driving conditions.
A Validation-First Safety Philosophy
Changan’s approach to user-facing safety is built on a validation-first development philosophy. Rather than relying solely on theoretical models or controlled laboratory environments, the company emphasizes exhaustive testing across the full vehicle lifecycle.
This philosophy is supported by a comprehensive verification system and access to globally advanced testing infrastructure, including the Western Automotive Proving Ground and the CHANGAN SDA Laboratory. Together, these facilities enable full-scenario validation covering extreme climates, complex road conditions, and advanced intelligent functions.
By integrating hardware durability testing with software intelligence validation, Changan aims to ensure that every system—from batteries and chassis components to AI algorithms—performs reliably under all foreseeable conditions.
Launching the 2026 Global Testing Season
While Yakeshi served as the opening chapter, Changan’s 2026 Global Testing Season is designed as a truly international program, spanning diverse climates, terrains, and regulatory environments.
Following the extreme cold validation in Inner Mongolia, Changan will expand its testing activities to Southeast Asia, where vehicles will undergo high-humidity and high-temperature durability testing. These conditions are essential for evaluating corrosion resistance, electronic reliability, and long-term material performance.
In Eurasia, Changan will continue winter-focused testing programs centered on ice and snow confidence, with the AVATR 12 serving as a key test vehicle. These trials will further refine vehicle stability systems, braking performance, and intelligent control strategies in low-adhesion environments.
The testing roadmap also includes the European Alps, where high-altitude conditions will be used to fine-tune chassis dynamics, power delivery, and thermal management systems. High-altitude testing is particularly important for validating performance under reduced air density and variable weather conditions.
In Latin America, Changan will conduct an extensive cross-country endurance drive in Mexico, covering the route from Cancun to Merida. This long-distance test will focus on real-world reliability, energy efficiency, and system durability over extended driving cycles.
Building a Global Foundation for Future Mobility
By combining sodium-ion battery innovation, SDA Intelligence development, and a comprehensive global testing program, Changan is laying the foundation for its next phase of global expansion. The company’s strategy reflects a holistic understanding that future mobility depends not only on breakthrough technologies, but also on trust, reliability, and real-world validation.
As Changan continues to introduce new models equipped with advanced batteries and intelligent systems, the lessons learned from extreme environments—from sub-zero ice fields to humid tropics and high-altitude mountain roads—will directly shape the vehicles delivered to customers worldwide.
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