In January 2026, the combined battery consumption for electric vehicles and various other applications across the globe hit 71.9 gigawatt-hours, representing a 10.7% year-on-year uptick. However, South Korea's leading trio of battery makers—LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI—faced a collective slump. Their market share plummeted by 4.3 percentage points year-on-year, landing at 12.0%, and their supply volumes also took a notable hit. This downturn was mainly due to a significant slump in electric vehicle sales in the U.S. market during January.
In stark contrast, Japan's Panasonic enjoyed a 22% surge in its supply volume, thereby broadening its market presence. Meanwhile, China's CATL experienced a 25.7% year-on-year spike in battery installations, propelling its market share to a commanding 45.2%.
Analysts highlight that in 2025, price emerged as the main catalyst for sales growth, a trend that is anticipated to persist in 2026. The market will strive to establish a fresh equilibrium among price, product value, and supply chain stability, gradually shifting away from a model that hinges solely on low-cost scale expansion.