- Global EV battery deployment reached 71.9 GWh in January 2026 despite declining EV sales.
- Chinese battery manufacturers dominated the global supply chain with over 73% market share.
According to data released by SNE Research on March 6, Global EV battery installation January 2026 reached 71.9 GWh across battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). The figure represents a 10.7% year-on-year increase in installed battery capacity despite a modest slowdown in global electric vehicle sales.
The data highlights a widening gap between vehicle sales growth and battery demand, suggesting that automakers are equipping vehicles with larger battery packs and shifting product portfolios toward higher-range and premium electric models.
Battery Installations Continue Growing Despite EV Sales Decline
While global EV sales declined by 2.1% year-on-year in January 2026, battery installations continued to rise strongly. The increase reflects growing battery capacity per vehicle and a structural transition toward longer driving ranges.
Another key factor driving battery demand is the expansion of electrified vehicle variants, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids, which continue to add incremental battery demand across global markets.
Top Battery Suppliers and Market Share
The market remains highly concentrated among a small group of large battery manufacturers. The five leading suppliers accounted for the majority of global installations during the month.
- CATL: 32.5 GWh installed capacity, up 25.7% year-on-year, holding a 45.2% market share.
- BYD: 9.9 GWh installed, slightly down 1.9%, representing a 13.8% share.
- LG Energy Solution: 4.7 GWh installed, declining 14.9%, accounting for 6.6% of the market.
- CALB: 3.8 GWh installed, increasing 51.5% year-on-year and capturing 5.3% share.
- Panasonic: 3.1 GWh installed, growing 22.0% with a 4.3% market share.
Regional Supplier Dominance
Chinese manufacturers continued to dominate the global battery supply chain, accounting for 73.3% of total installations among the top ten suppliers. South Korean manufacturers held 12.0% of the market, while Japanese companies accounted for 4.3%.
Structural Shift Toward Higher Battery Capacity Vehicles
The January data signals an important structural trend within the electric mobility sector. Even as vehicle demand fluctuates, battery consumption continues expanding because newer EV models are equipped with higher-capacity battery packs and improved driving range capabilities.
This shift suggests that battery demand will remain resilient as electrified vehicle technology evolves and automakers introduce higher-performance electric platforms across global markets.
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