China Power Battery Capacity Rises 14.7% in September

China's Power Battery Installations Reach 87.2 GWh in September 2026

China's power battery capacity reached 87.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in September 2026, representing a 14.7% year-over-year increase, according to monthly data released on October 15 by the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA). The figures cover batteries installed in vehicles and show continued growth in total installed capacity. Lithium-iron phosphate batteries accounted for most of September's installations, while ternary batteries represented a considerably smaller share. The alliance's report also provided year-to-date figures for installed capacity, passenger vehicle battery proportions, and the ten leading battery makers by cumulative installed capacity for vehicle equipment.

Lithium-Iron Phosphate Batteries Dominate September Installations

In September, lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries installed in vehicles totaled 74.5 GWh, accounting for 85.5% of total installed power battery capacity and increasing 19.9% year over year. Ternary batteries recorded 12.3 GWh, representing 14.1% of the total and declining 10.9% compared with the same month a year earlier. These reported figures show that LFP batteries supplied the substantial majority of installed capacity during the month, while ternary battery installations decreased on an annual basis. The reported chemistry-specific shares add up to 99.6%, so they should be retained as published rather than adjusted to force a 100% total.

Year-to-Date Installed Capacity Reaches 576.3 GWh

For the year to date through September 2026, installed power battery capacity for vehicle equipment totaled 576.3 GWh, a 16.7% increase year over year. LFP batteries accounted for 477.2 GWh, or 82.8% of the cumulative total, with capacity rising 18.5%. Ternary batteries reached 97.9 GWh, representing 17.0% of the total and increasing 7.3% year over year. The reported chemistry-specific shares total 99.8%, reflecting the published figures. Both categories recorded year-to-date growth, but LFP batteries contributed the larger reported capacity and the higher annual growth rate.

September and Year-to-Date Battery Capacity by Chemistry

The alliance's monthly and cumulative figures provide two views of China's installed vehicle battery market: the capacity recorded during September and the total accumulated from the beginning of the year through that month. LFP batteries led both periods in reported installed capacity and share, while ternary batteries maintained a smaller share. The comparison below preserves the capacity, percentage share, and year-over-year growth figures reported by CAPBIIA. Monthly values refer to September 2026; year-to-date values cover the period through September 2026. Differences between reported shares and 100% have not been corrected or interpreted as additional battery categories.

September and Year-to-Date Installed Capacity by Battery Chemistry

Passenger Vehicle Battery Capacity Proportions Increase

CAPBIIA also reported the proportions of total installed drive battery capacity associated with battery electric passenger vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicles. In September, battery electric passenger vehicles represented 59.5% of total drive battery capacity, an increase of 9.9% year over year as reported. Plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicles accounted for 16.1%, up 2.9%. For the year to date through September, battery electric passenger vehicles represented 58.5% of installed drive battery capacity, up 7.8%, while plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicles accounted for 16.2%, up 4.8%. These figures describe reported capacity proportions and should not be interpreted as vehicle sales shares.

Year-to-Date Battery Capacity Proportions by Passenger Vehicle Type

The passenger vehicle figures show that battery electric vehicles accounted for a larger reported proportion of installed drive battery capacity than plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in both September and the year-to-date period. The September proportion for battery electric passenger vehicles was 59.5%, compared with 58.5% year to date. Plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicles accounted for 16.1% in September and 16.2% year to date. CAPBIIA reported year-over-year increases for both categories across both periods. The source does not specify the calculation basis for the percentage-point or relative changes, so the reported growth figures are retained as provided.

Leading Battery Makers by Year-to-Date Installed Capacity

The year-to-date ranking of battery makers shows a concentrated market, with CATL in first place and BYD second by installed capacity for vehicle equipment through September 2026. CATL recorded 253.7 GWh, equivalent to 44.2% of the total, while BYD recorded 106.4 GWh, or 18.5%. CALB ranked third with 37.0 GWh and a 6.4% share, followed by Gotion High-tech with 34.9 GWh and a 6.1% share. The remaining companies in the top ten each recorded less than 32 GWh, according to the figures released by the alliance.

Top 10 Battery Makers by Installed Capacity Through September 2026

CATL and BYD Lead the Battery Maker Ranking

The ranking places CATL well ahead of the other listed manufacturers, with 253.7 GWh of year-to-date installed capacity and a reported 44.2% share. BYD followed with 106.4 GWh and 18.5%. Together, their reported shares total 62.7% of installed capacity for vehicle equipment. CALB, Gotion High-tech, and EVE Energy formed the next group by reported capacity, while Rept Battero, Sunwoda, Zenergy, Energee, and SVOLT completed the top ten. These figures describe installed capacity through September, rather than production capacity, shipments, revenue, or a forecast of future market share.

September Data Shows Different Trends Across Battery Chemistries

The September results distinguish between growth in total installed capacity and the performance of individual battery chemistries. Overall capacity increased 14.7% year over year, supported by a 19.9% increase in LFP installations, while ternary battery installations fell 10.9%. The year-to-date figures also show stronger reported growth for LFP batteries than for ternary batteries. These results indicate a larger role for LFP in the installed-capacity mix recorded by the alliance. However, the figures alone do not establish the reasons behind the difference, and they should not be used to infer changes in battery pricing, profitability, production capacity, or future demand without additional evidence.

Industry Impact & Outlook

China's September battery data highlights the competitive importance of LFP technology and the scale of leading suppliers, particularly CATL and BYD, in the vehicle battery market. The increase in total installed capacity, alongside the contrasting year-over-year performance of LFP and ternary batteries, provides manufacturers and industry observers with a measurable view of the battery mix used in vehicles. Automakers and battery suppliers may use subsequent monthly releases to assess whether these patterns persist, but this single report does not establish future demand, prices, or technology choices. Continued monitoring of installed capacity, chemistry shares, and manufacturer rankings will help clarify how the market develops through the remainder of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power battery capacity did China install in September 2026?
China recorded 87.2 GWh of installed power battery capacity in September 2026, representing a 14.7% increase compared with the same month a year earlier. The figures were released on October 15 by the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance. The total included 74.5 GWh of lithium-iron phosphate batteries and 12.3 GWh of ternary batteries. These chemistry-specific figures and shares are presented as reported by the alliance and refer to installed capacity for vehicle equipment.

Which battery chemistry accounted for the largest share in September?
Lithium-iron phosphate batteries accounted for the largest share of China's installed power battery capacity in September 2026, reaching 74.5 GWh. This represented 85.5% of the total and a 19.9% year-over-year increase, according to CAPBIIA. Ternary batteries recorded 12.3 GWh, representing 14.1% of the total and a 10.9% year-over-year decline. The reported shares do not add up to exactly 100%, and the published figures should not be adjusted without further information from the source.

What was China's year-to-date installed power battery capacity through September 2026?
China's cumulative installed power battery capacity for vehicle equipment reached 576.3 GWh through September 2026, increasing 16.7% year over year. Lithium-iron phosphate batteries contributed 477.2 GWh, or 82.8% of the reported total, while ternary batteries contributed 97.9 GWh, or 17.0%. Their reported year-over-year growth rates were 18.5% and 7.3%, respectively. These figures cover the year-to-date period through September and should be distinguished from capacity recorded during September alone.

Which company led China's battery makers by year-to-date installed capacity?
CATL ranked first among China's battery makers by year-to-date installed capacity for vehicle equipment through September 2026, with 253.7 GWh and a reported 44.2% share. BYD ranked second at 106.4 GWh, representing 18.5%. CALB followed in third place with 37.0 GWh and a 6.4% share. The ranking also included Gotion High-tech, EVE Energy, Rept Battero, Sunwoda, Zenergy, Energee, and SVOLT. The reported ranking measures installed capacity, not company revenue or manufacturing capacity.

What proportions of battery capacity were associated with passenger vehicle types?
Battery electric passenger vehicles represented 59.5% of total drive battery capacity in September 2026, while plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicles represented 16.1%. CAPBIIA reported year-over-year increases of 9.9% and 2.9%, respectively, for these proportions. For the year to date through September, the corresponding shares were 58.5% for battery electric passenger vehicles and 16.2% for plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicles, with reported increases of 7.8% and 4.8%. These are capacity proportions, not vehicle sales shares.

Did ternary battery installations increase during September 2026?
No, ternary battery installations declined year over year in September 2026, even though China's total installed power battery capacity increased. Ternary batteries recorded 12.3 GWh for the month, down 10.9% compared with September 2025 and representing 14.1% of total installed capacity. In contrast, lithium-iron phosphate battery installations rose 19.9% to 74.5 GWh. For the year to date through September, ternary battery capacity still increased 7.3% to 97.9 GWh, showing that the monthly decline and cumulative trend were different.