China’s EV Battery Output Rises 34% YoY in April as Installation Rate Hits Historic Low

In April, China’s combined output of power and other batteries reached 184 GWh, up 34% year-over-year. From January to April, cumulative production totaled 671 GWh, an increase of 28% compared to the same period last year. This marks a notable slowdown from the previous growth rate exceeding 69%, primarily due to weak demand for traction batteries, although supply-demand dynamics are gradually improving. By April 2026, the proportion of traction batteries installed in vehicles had declined to 34%—with ternary batteries at 36% and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries at 33%—reaching a historic low in installation activity. Exports have now become a key driver influencing the battery market. Meanwhile, the share of vehicle models with energy densities above 160 Wh/kg rose to 10% in April 2026, up from 6% in the same period of 2025, driven by recovering high-end demand for ternary batteries. Conversely, products with energy densities below 125 Wh/kg now account for 0% of the market. In terms of market structure, CATL and BYD together hold approximately 65% of the market share, while other companies collectively command over 30%. Gotion High-Tech, SVOLT Energy, Geely Yaoning, and ChuNeng New Energy stood out notably in 2026. As BYD has fully shifted to LFP batteries, CATL and SVOLT have gained a clearer advantage in the ternary battery segment. Additionally, recent growth in premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) has further boosted demand for ternary batteries.