In Depth: For China’s Battery Giants, Power Comes With a Price

1. In 2025, Chinese companies remained dominant in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market, with CATL and BYD together holding 55.6% of the installed capacity. This leadership extended to the energy storage battery sector, where Chinese firms accounted for over 90% of global shipments. Industry sources noted that by the fourth quarter of 2025, capacity utilization had significantly improved, with manufacturers’ order books nearly full for 2026, driven by robust demand for both EV and energy storage batteries. However, this rapid expansion has sparked concerns about a potential supply glut that could reduce profitability across the sector [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4].

2. Overexpansion has already caused financial distress in the upstream supply chain, especially among Chinese producers of cathode materials for lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Industry figures show that the capacity utilization rate was at 50% in 2024, leading to a drastic price fall in cathode materials from 173,000 yuan per ton in late 2022 to 34,000 yuan ($4,940) per ton by August 2025, causing financial challenges for producers. The Chinese government responded with pledges to better manage capacity and discourage excessive subsidies but acknowledges challenges due to industry-wide issues and aggressive investments by firms [para. 5][para. 6][para. 7][para. 8][para. 9].

3. Intense price competition and volatility in raw material markets have prompted battery makers, especially CATL and BYD, to invest heavily in securing lithium sources worldwide. From mid-2020 to late 2022, lithium carbonate prices soared from 40,000 yuan to 600,000 yuan per ton, motivating firms to invest in mining projects in South America, Africa, and China. CATL’s efforts include a stalled Bolivian project and operations in China, while BYD is involved in several mining ventures. Battery manufacturers are increasingly using long-term procurement contracts to ensure stable supply, with CATL sourcing about 70% of key materials this way [para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16].

4. Automakers have begun developing their own batteries, aiming to gain negotiating leverage with suppliers. Companies like Geely, Chery, and Li Auto have established or are constructing battery plants, and some LFP batteries from these carmakers have already been installed in their vehicles. The dual strategy of self-production, joint-ventures, and third-party procurement is becoming common among leading automakers due to the maturity of China’s industrial chain. Industry experts suggest that battery manufacturers must continue investing in technology to maintain their edge as automakers ramp up in-house battery development [para. 17][para. 18][para. 19][para. 20][para. 21].

5. Technological innovation remains a key focus, as LFP batteries are nearing their energy storage limits and are affected by new national standards prioritizing higher energy density. Major players such as CATL, BYD, and GAC are investing in solid-state battery technology, seen as a potential breakthrough due to improvements in energy density, safety, lifespan, and charging speed. While companies like GAC and SAIC have ambitious plans for solid-state battery mass production, experts warn that challenges like chemical instability mean commercial viability may not be achieved before 2030 [para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27].

6. Battery safety has become a growing concern following several incidents and lawsuits related to defective batteries in vehicles. Cost-cutting measures in response to fierce competition, such as reducing fire suppression systems and using lower-grade materials, have been linked to increased risks and recalls. Regulatory authorities have introduced stricter safety standards, requiring batteries to withstand tough safety tests, to curb excessive competition and enhance industry safety practices [para. 28][para. 29][para. 30][para. 31][para. 32][para. 33][para. 34][para. 35][para. 36].

7. In summary, the Chinese EV battery industry in 2025 is marked by high global market share, rapid expansion, upstream supply chain issues, aggressive mining investments, increasing self-reliance among automakers, a push for technological breakthroughs, and an urgent focus on safety amid intense cost pressures and regulatory reforms. Stakeholders are balancing profitability, innovation, and safety as they navigate evolving supply chain, market, and policy challenges [para. 1-36].