- CATL retained its leadership in China's EV battery market with a 46.14% share in May 2026.
- LG Energy Solution rebounded strongly in the ternary battery segment, reclaiming the second position.
The China EV Battery Market continued to expand in May 2026 as leading manufacturers strengthened their positions amid rising battery demand. China's battery industry recorded another month of growth, with CATL maintaining a commanding lead in overall installations while LG Energy Solution delivered a significant recovery in the ternary battery segment. The latest figures highlight the ongoing dominance of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology and the increasing scale of battery deployment across the country's electric vehicle ecosystem.
Top Power Battery Manufacturers in China – May 2026
According to data released by the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance, CATL remained the largest battery supplier in the country during May. The company recorded power battery installations of 33.08 GWh and secured a market share of 46.14%, although its share edged lower compared with April. BYD retained second position with 11.87 GWh of installations and a 16.56% share, while Gotion High-tech ranked third with 4.44 GWh and a 6.19% market share.
Leading Battery Suppliers by Installations
The top five manufacturers continued to account for a substantial portion of China's battery market. CALB and Eve Energy completed the top five rankings, reflecting the concentration of battery production among major domestic suppliers.
China Power Battery Market Rankings – May 2026
| Company | Installations (GWh) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| CATL | 33.08 | 46.14% |
| BYD | 11.87 | 16.56% |
| Gotion High-tech | 4.44 | 6.19% |
| CALB | 4.30 | 5.99% |
| Eve Energy | 3.23 | 4.50% |
LG Energy Solution Returns to Second Place in Ternary Batteries
The ternary battery segment witnessed a notable shift during May. CATL remained the dominant supplier with installations of 9.96 GWh and a market share of 74.36%. Although the company continued to lead by a wide margin, its share declined significantly compared with April. This created room for competitors to gain traction in the segment.
LG Energy Solution recorded one of the strongest month-on-month improvements among major battery suppliers. The company's ternary battery installations reached 1.54 GWh, resulting in a market share of 11.47%. This represented a sharp increase from 3.02% in April and enabled the South Korean manufacturer to reclaim the second position in the ternary battery market. Svolt Energy followed in third place with 1.01 GWh of installations and a 7.55% share.
LFP Batteries Continue Market Dominance
In the lithium iron phosphate battery segment, CATL further strengthened its leadership position. The company recorded LFP battery installations of 23.12 GWh and increased its market share to 39.66%. BYD remained the second-largest participant in this category with installations of 11.87 GWh, corresponding to a 20.37% market share.
Gotion High-tech held third position in the LFP market with installations totaling 4.43 GWh and a 7.60% share. The continued strength of LFP technology reinforced its status as the preferred battery chemistry in the domestic market, accounting for 81.2% of all power battery installations during May.
Market Growth Momentum Remains Strong
China's battery industry maintained positive momentum throughout May 2026. Total power battery installations reached 71.9 GWh, representing a year-on-year increase of 25.9% and a month-on-month rise of 15.2%. This marked the second consecutive month of expansion, highlighting sustained demand from the electric vehicle sector.
Performance among other manufacturers also reflected competitive market dynamics. Sunwoda recorded the largest market-share gain among domestic companies in the top ten rankings, increasing its share to 3.08% with 2.21 GWh of installations. LG Energy Solution remained the only foreign company within the overall top ten ranking, securing a 2.14% market share through 1.54 GWh of installations.
Year-to-Date Battery Installations
The cumulative performance of the market also remained positive during the first five months of the year. Total power battery installations from January through May 2026 reached 259.1 GWh, reflecting growth of 7.3% compared with the same period in 2025. The figures underscore the continued expansion of China's electric vehicle supply chain and the critical role of battery manufacturers in supporting that growth trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the largest EV battery supplier in China in May 2026?
CATL remained the largest EV battery supplier in China during May 2026 with installations of 33.08 GWh and a market share of 46.14%. Although its share declined slightly compared with April, the company maintained a substantial lead over competitors. CATL also led both the overall battery market and the ternary battery segment, while strengthening its position in the LFP battery category.
How did LG Energy Solution perform in the ternary battery market?
LG Energy Solution recorded a significant recovery in China's ternary battery market during May 2026. The company achieved installations of 1.54 GWh and increased its market share to 11.47%, up from 3.02% in April. This strong improvement enabled the South Korean battery manufacturer to regain the second position in the segment, making it the most notable mover among major ternary battery suppliers.
What was the share of LFP batteries in China's battery market?
LFP batteries accounted for 81.2% of China's power battery market in May 2026, demonstrating their continued dominance. The chemistry remained the preferred choice for many electric vehicle applications due to its widespread adoption across the domestic industry. CATL and BYD remained the leading participants in the LFP segment, together accounting for a significant portion of total installations.
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