EV Batteries and Charging: LFP, Solid-State, CATL, LG — 2026-10-11
CATL has officially surpassed LG Energy Solution to claim the top spot in global battery patent rankings, signaling a shift in technological leadership away from traditional Japanese and Korean dominance. Meanwhile, South Korea’s battery giants reported mixed Q3 results driven by a surge in Energy Storage System (ESS) demand, with LG Energy Solution posting record revenue. In China, solid-state battery stocks rallied sharply as industry leaders like CATL and BYD clarified their mass-production timelines for 2027–2030.
EV Batteries and Charging: LFP, Solid-State, CATL, LG — 2026-10-11
Top developments
CATL leads global battery patents, ending Korean-Japanese dominance
On October 10, 2026, reports confirmed that CATL has surpassed LG Energy Solution to become the holder of the most battery-related patents globally. This milestone reflects CATL's aggressive R&D investment, particularly in solid-state and LFP technologies, effectively ending the era where Japanese and Korean firms dominated intellectual property in the sector. The shift underscores China's growing influence not just in manufacturing volume, but in core battery innovation
LG Energy Solution posts record revenue on ESS boom
LG Energy Solution reported third-quarter revenue of 9.64 trillion won ($7.2 billion), marking its first time exceeding 9 trillion won in quarterly sales. The record was driven by strong demand for ESS batteries in North America and a recovery in EV battery orders, with operating profit rising 26% year-on-year. This performance contrasts with SK On, which is expected to post a loss, highlighting diverging paths among Korean battery makers as they pivot toward stationary storage to offset EV market volatility
Solid-state stocks surge as China targets 2030 mass production
Following the post-holiday trading session in China (October 8), solid-state battery-related stocks experienced a significant rally, with some gaining nearly 30%. This market reaction was fueled by Beijing’s newly unveiled five-year plan targeting large-scale all-solid-state battery use by 2030. While CATL warned that affordability remains a challenge for mass adoption, the policy signal has intensified competition among Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Gotion to accelerate pilot lines
Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution diverge on solid-state strategies
South Korea’s two leading battery makers are pursuing different timelines for solid-state commercialization. Samsung SDI is targeting a 2027 launch for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries, partnering with EcoPro BM and BMW, while LG Energy Solution is focusing on cost innovation for a later 2029 entry. This strategic split highlights the differing risk appetites as both companies aim to secure supply contracts for next-generation EV platforms
Local view
In South Korea, financial media are closely watching the "ESS rescue" narrative, where energy storage demand is propping up profits despite sluggish EV sales. Chosun Biz and Maeil Business Newspaper note that LG Energy Solution’s success is largely due to its early expansion into US ESS production, while SK On faces pressure to cut costs. In China, Sina Finance and 21st Century Business Herald report that investor enthusiasm is high for solid-state equipment makers like Lead Intelligent, even if cell manufacturers warn of yield challenges
Context & numbers
Global power battery installations from January to August 2026 reached 844.2 GWh, a 19.7% year-over-year increase. CATL maintained its dominant position with a 39.4% market share (333.0 GWh), while BYD held second place with 15.1% (127.9 GWh). Chinese companies collectively accounted for 73.3% of the global market, reinforcing their scale advantage over Korean and Western competitors
On the radar
- Smart Energy Plus (SEP) 2026: The major energy exhibition in Seoul on October 30 will feature joint presentations from LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On, likely clarifying their LFP and solid-state roadmaps for the domestic ESS tender
- Renault-backed battery debt talks: A French battery manufacturer supported by Renault is seeking lender flexibility after production delays, a signal of continued financial stress in European gigafactory projects
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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