Global Battery Market 2026: CATL Leads 608.5 GWh H1 Usage

Global Battery Market 2026 data from SNE Research shows that global power battery installations for electric vehicles, including BEV, PHEV and HEV models, continued to expand during the first half of the year. On August 5, SNE Research announced monthly power battery data covering global electric vehicles sold in June 2026. From January to June, global battery installation increased 20.0% year-over-year to 608.5 GWh. By national origin among the top 10 suppliers, Chinese manufacturers accounted for 72.4% of sales, while Korean manufacturers represented 11.7% and Japanese manufacturers accounted for 3.7%, highlighting the continued concentration of global battery supply among Chinese producers.

The leading suppliers further demonstrate this market concentration. CATL remained the largest supplier, with battery usage rising 25.3% year-over-year to 242.7 GWh and reaching a 39.9% share. BYD followed with 87.7 GWh, up 1.6%, giving it a 14.4% share. LG Energy Solution recorded 52.6 GWh, an 8.4% increase and 8.6% share. CALB increased 39.5% to 31.2 GWh, while Gotion rose 43.3% to 28.0 GWh. CALB held a 5.1% share and Gotion held 4.6%.

SNE Research said the first half of 2026 saw the global electric vehicle secondary battery market expand 20% year-over-year, while growth tilted further toward CATL and mid-tier Chinese manufacturers. Domestic market scale, LFP-driven cost competitiveness and agile product turnarounds helped Chinese players widen their market share. In contrast, South Korean and Japanese manufacturers experienced relatively subdued growth because of regional sales and production schedule adjustments among major customers. The market is also facing persistent policy and demand uncertainties in North America, while localization and supply chain traceability requirements are increasing in Europe as preparations advance for digital registration frameworks and supply chain data management supporting the EU Battery Passport.

These developments indicate that future competitiveness will depend on more than production scale. Battery manufacturers will increasingly need operational efficiency across regional manufacturing hubs, broader client portfolio diversification, and product strategies that respond to changing market requirements. SNE Research also identifies strategic product mix adaptation, including LFP batteries and next-generation cylindrical form factors, as an important consideration. At the same time, regulatory compliance capabilities across global supply chains are becoming increasingly significant as regional localization and traceability requirements develop. The combination of production efficiency, technology adaptation, customer diversification and regulatory readiness is therefore expected to shape competitive positioning in the global battery market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was global battery installation in the first half of 2026?
Global battery installation for electric vehicles reached 608.5 GWh during January to June 2026, representing a 20.0% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Chinese manufacturers accounted for 72.4% of sales among the top 10 suppliers by national origin, substantially exceeding Korean manufacturers at 11.7% and Japanese manufacturers at 3.7%. CATL remained the leading individual supplier with 242.7 GWh and a 39.9% share, while CALB and Gotion recorded particularly strong year-over-year growth rates of 39.5% and 43.3%, respectively.