Chinese companies almost tripled the export of lithium batteries over the year and did not leave competitors from other countries a chance for a leading position.

According to the latest data from the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA), in the period from January to October 2021 inclusive, China produced batteries with a total capacity of 159.8 GWh. A year ago, over the same period, 55.5 GWh batteries were produced. The battery capacity produced this year is sufficient for the production of 2.5 million electric vehicles.

According to CAPBIIA, about 30% of the produced lithium batteries were exported, while 1.75 million electric vehicles were equipped with the rest of the batteries in Kita. Shipments have grown in both the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery industry, which is used for low-cost EVs and heavy vehicles, and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries for mid-range and high-end EVs. In particular, of all lithium batteries released this year in China, NCM accounted for 72 GWh, or twice as much as last year (32.7 GWh).

According to the report, CATL holds the largest market share in the global market with a battery capacity of 54.48 GWh. It is followed by BYD and CALB with 17.88 GWh and 6.42 GWh, respectively. South Korean LG Energy Solution has produced 3.26 GWh batteries. Last year she was still one of the three world leaders, but this year she dropped even out of the top five.