What's new in China's Lithium-ion battery industry?

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in June finalised revised guidelines for the country’s lithium-ion battery industry, which set higher standards for energy intensity, power density, cycle life and other battery specifications.

How many battery Gigafactory projects have been cancelled or postponed in China?

In the first seven months of the year, 19 battery gigafactory projects were cancelled or postponed in China, according to London-based research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. That has only accelerated an existing pullback of investment into battery plants as electric-vehicle manufacturers — mainly in Europe — grapple with slowing sales.

How many battery manufacturers will survive the wave of consolidation?

SVolt chair Yang Hongxin has warned that fewer than 40 battery manufacturers could survive the wave of consolidation by the end of this year. “Previously, tier-2 and tier-3 battery makers participated in pricing competitions to grab more market share. Currently, even the biggest players are lowering prices,” said Yang at an event last month.

Why did svolt abandon plans to build a battery plant in Germany?

SVolt Energy Technology, which was spun off from carmaker Great Wall Motor and the seventh-largest battery maker in China, abandoned plans in May to build a battery plant in eastern Germany, citing uncertainty over planning, tariffs and subsidies, as well as the loss of a leading customer.

Will China's EV market reshape after double digit growth?

The upheaval in the crowded Chinese batteries industry comes as EV sales growth has declined in parts of the world. After double-digit increases, the growth rates in Europe and North America are expected to fall to 6 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, according to Rho Motion, an EV supply chain consultancy.

How many EV batteries are there in China?

Industry bodies estimate that there are roughly 50 Chinese EV battery groups producing in the world’s largest car market, leading to a survival game that is set to intensify as they face fierce competition for technology and stricter government regulations.