The Lithium-Ion Battery Roadmap

CATL unveiled the Qilin Battery using third-generation cell-to-pack (CTP 3.0) technology. Achieving 255 Wh/kg for NMC cells and a record 72% volume utilisation efficiency, it enabled 1,000 km range on Zeekr's 001 model. A step-change in structural integration.
🇨🇳 China

BYD's Blade Battery, using LFP chemistry in a cell-to-pack configuration, became the dominant architecture in China's mass-market EVs. BYD overtook LG Energy Solution to become the world's second-largest battery manufacturer by shipments.
🇨🇳 China

Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices spiked to approximately $80,000/tonne in late 2022, driven by surging EV demand outstripping supply expansion. This triggered urgent diversification into LFP chemistry and alternative cathode materials.
🌍 Global

CATL unveiled a 'condensed battery' achieving a single-cell energy density of 500 Wh/kg, using a highly condensed electrolyte. Initially targeting electric aviation, with automotive deployment planned subsequently. The highest energy density announced by any major manufacturer.
🇨🇳 China

CATL launched the Shenxing Battery, the world's first LFP battery supporting 4C charging. It delivers 400 km of range in 10 minutes and up to 700 km total range. Targets BYD's LFP dominance. Mass production began Q1 2024.
🇨🇳 China

Lithium iron phosphate batteries surpassed nickel manganese cobalt chemistry in global market share for the first time, driven by BYD's Blade Battery and Tesla's adoption of LFP for standard-range vehicles. Cost, safety, and cycle life advantages proved decisive for mass-market EVs.
🌍 Global

Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices collapsed through 2023, falling over 80% from their late-2022 peak. The crash reflected new supply coming online in Australia, Chile, and China alongside moderating EV demand growth. It temporarily undermined the cost case for sodium-ion alternatives.
🌍 Global

General Motors partnered with Samsung SDI to establish a $3 billion battery plant in Indiana, expanding localised US production. The facility targets NMC and next-generation prismatic cells for GM's Ultium platform.
🇺🇸 United States

Total battery demand in the energy sector exceeded 1 TWh for the first time in 2024, with EV batteries contributing over 950 GWh. Demand in one average week in 2024 surpassed total annual demand from a decade earlier. EVs accounted for 1 in 5 cars sold globally.
🌍 Global

China's dominance in Li-ion battery manufacturing continued to consolidate, producing well over 80% of all cells globally. CATL maintained its #1 position with ~37% global market share, followed by BYD. Global commissioned manufacturing capacity reached 3.1 TWh — far exceeding actual demand.
🇨🇳 China

Belgian research institute Imec demonstrated a lithium-metal solid-state battery with 1,070 Wh/L volumetric energy density — significantly higher than conventional Li-ion. While still at laboratory scale, it represented a notable advance toward next-generation energy density targets.
🇧🇪 Belgium

QuantumScape began shipping low-volume B-sample QSE-5 solid-state cells to automotive customers. Third-party testing verified 844 Wh/L energy density, 301 Wh/kg gravimetric density, and 10–80% charging in 12.2 minutes. Field testing with vehicles scheduled for 2026.
🇺🇸 United States

At InterBattery 2024, Samsung SDI confirmed solid-state battery specifications of 500 Wh/kg and 900 Wh/L volumetric density. Pilot production under way on the 'S-Line' at Suwon, South Korea, with mass production targeted for 2027.
🇰🇷 South Korea

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt filed for bankruptcy protection, reportedly burning through $100M per month while struggling with large-scale manufacturing quality issues. BMW had cancelled a $2 billion contract in June 2024. A stark warning for European battery ambitions.
🇸🇪 Sweden

Stellantis and CATL announced a 50/50 joint venture to build a carbon-neutral LFP gigafactory in Zaragoza, Spain, with capacity up to 50 GWh. One of Europe's largest battery manufacturing commitments. Production targeted by end of 2026 using CATL's cell-to-body technology.
🇪🇸 Spain

BloombergNEF's annual price survey found Li-ion pack prices fell 20% year-on-year (the largest drop since 2017) to $115/kWh. BEV-specific packs crossed below $100/kWh for the first time at $97/kWh. Chinese packs averaged $94/kWh vs $139/kWh in Europe.
🌍 Global

China established a government-backed consortium including CATL, BYD, SAIC, and Geely to accelerate solid-state battery development. The alliance aims to pool resources and prevent the technology gap widening with Japanese and Korean competitors.
🇨🇳 China

CATL filed for a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange targeting over $5 billion. Cornerstone investors included Sinopec, Kuwait Investment Authority, Hillhouse Investment, and Oaktree. Funds earmarked for gigafactories in Hungary (100 GWh), Spain (50 GWh JV), and Indonesia.
🇭🇰 / 🌍 Global

Samsung SDI began production of its 46-series cylindrical batteries using advanced NCA cathode and SCN anode technologies. First shipments went to a US micromobility customer. Samsung SDI became the first Korean maker to deliver 46mm-format cells internationally.
🇰🇷 South Korea

CATL launched the Freevoy Dual Power Battery with a dual-core architecture splitting the pack into separate energy zones using different chemistries (ternary + LFP). Maximum range exceeds 1,500 km on a single charge — positioning BEVs to match hybrid range for the first time.
🇨🇳 China

CATL unveiled the second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, with peak charging approaching 12C and power exceeding 1.3 MW. It adds 520 km of range in just 5 minutes on compatible megawatt chargers. Even at −10°C, it charges 5–80% in 15 minutes.
🇨🇳 China

LG Energy Solution formed a joint venture with Derichebourg to build a battery recycling plant in northern France with 20,000-tonne annual processing capacity. It reinforces circularity and regulatory compliance under the EU Battery Regulation, with a 2027 opening target.
🇫🇷 France

Japanese oil giant Idemitsu Kosan announced a ¥21.3 billion investment to build a lithium sulphide production plant, a critical raw material for sulphide-based solid-state batteries. Toyota confirmed as first customer. Backed by Japan's METI, targeting mass production 2027–2028.
🇯🇵 Japan

A prototype Mercedes-Benz EQS equipped with Factorial Energy's solid-state battery completed a 749-mile drive from Germany to Sweden on a single charge, with 85 miles of range remaining. Mercedes targets road deployment by end of the decade.
🇩🇪 Germany

QuantumScape and VW's PowerCo showcased solid-state batteries in a Ducati electric motorcycle at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The cells demonstrated 10–80% charging in 12 minutes. QuantumScape confirmed Falcon production line equipment installation for scaled-up manufacturing.
🇩🇪 / 🇺🇸 Germany / US

CATL and Stellantis formally broke ground on the Zaragoza gigafactory. The carbon-neutral plant will use Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing and CATL's cell-to-body technology. Over 80% renewable energy supply. Defect rate target: parts per billion. 4,000 jobs planned.
🇪🇸 Spain

A 200 MW/800 MWh semi-solid-state battery energy storage power station using Qingtao Energy's technology was connected to the grid in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia. Achieves 12,000 cycle life. China's first grid-scale semi-solid-state deployment.
🇨🇳 China

BNEF's 2025 survey found pack prices fell 8% to a record $108/kWh despite rising metal costs. Stationary storage plummeted 45% to $70/kWh — the lowest segment for the first time. LFP packs averaged $81/kWh vs NMC at $128/kWh. Lowest observed cell price: $36/kWh (LFP).
🌍 Global

The IEA reported the global Li-ion battery market exceeded $150 billion in 2025, with deployment six times the 2020 level. EVs accounted for one in four cars sold globally. Average battery prices fell 8% year-on-year despite rising metal costs.
🌍 Global

The CATL–Stellantis joint venture in Zaragoza is targeted to begin LFP battery production by end of 2026, supplying cells for Stellantis B- and C-segment BEVs across European plants. One of the first large-scale LFP manufacturing facilities in Europe.
🇪🇸 Spain

CATL's €7.34 billion Debrecen gigafactory in Hungary is ramping toward 100 GWh annual capacity, making it the largest battery manufacturing plant in Europe. It will supply BMW, Stellantis, and other European OEMs with LFP and NMC cells.
🇭🇺 Hungary

GAC Group became the first automaker to establish an operational all-solid-state battery production line in China. While volumes remain small, it positions China alongside Japan and Korea in the race to industrialise solid-state technology.
🇨🇳 China

Toyota maintains its target of deploying sulphide-based solid-state batteries in production vehicles by 2027–2028. The batteries target 1,000 km range with 10-minute charging. Initial volumes will be limited to premium models before scaling. Idemitsu's lithium sulphide plant will supply materials.
🇯🇵 Japan