EV Batteries and Charging: LFP, Solid-State, CATL, LG — 2026-09-08
Global EV battery market share data for January-July 2026 reveals CATL maintaining a dominant 39.9% lead, while Chinese companies collectively hold 72.8% of the market. In South Korea, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are intensifying competition for the upcoming third-round national ESS tender, with SK On securing a massive 1.5 trillion KRW US order. Meanwhile, solid-state battery development sees mixed signals: ProLogium begins 381 Wh/kg production, but LG Energy Solution executives warn of persistent technical hurdles.
EV Batteries and Charging: LFP, Solid-State, CATL, LG — 2026-09-08
Top developments
CATL retains near-40% global market share; Chinese firms dominate
Market research firm SNE Research reported on September 7 that CATL held a 39.9% share of the global EV battery market from January to July 2026, followed by BYD with 14.7%. The seven Chinese companies in the top 10 manufacturers accounted for a combined 72.8% of global usage, which totaled 725.2 GWh during the period. This data underscores the continued dominance of Chinese supply chains in the global EV ecosystem despite geopolitical tensions.
Korean battery giants ramp up ESS LFP orders ahead of national tender
As of September 7, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are in fierce competition for the third round of South Korea’s central contract market tender for Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The Korean government’s push for grid stability has driven demand for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, with Tesla’s Megapack success serving as a global benchmark for this technology. This tender is critical for Korean makers to offset slowing EV demand ("chasm") by securing long-term energy storage contracts.
ProLogium starts production of high-density solid-state batteries
Mercedes-backed ProLogium announced on September 6 that it has started mass production of solid-state batteries with an energy density of 381 Wh/kg. These cells have passed China’s strict GB/T vacuum safety tests, marking a significant milestone for solid-state commercialization. However, major automakers remain cautious, largely watching from the sidelines rather than committing to large-scale procurement, citing cost and durability concerns over traditional lithium-ion packs.
LG Energy Solution secures 10-year lithium supply agreement
In a move to secure upstream resources, LG Energy Solution finalized a 10-year lithium carbonate supply agreement with Smackover Lithium. This deal, highlighted in recent industry updates, aims to stabilize raw material costs and ensure supply chain resilience for its growing US and global footprint. The agreement comes as LGES continues to expand its capacity in North America to serve key clients like Tesla and Toyota.
Local view
South Korean media outlets are closely monitoring the "ESS tender battle" among the three major battery makers. Gokorea reports that the competition is shifting from pure price wars to evaluations of safety and technology capabilities, as the government seeks reliable grid storage solutions. Sidae notes that the third-round tender is seen as a lifeline for Korean battery firms to fill the volume gap left by slower EV sales growth. Meanwhile, Newspost highlights how US regulatory moves against Chinese ESS providers are creating new export opportunities for Korean firms like LGES and SK On, who are positioning themselves as non-Chinese alternatives for Western grids.
Context & numbers
- Global Usage: Global EV battery usage reached 725.2 GWh in Jan-July 2026, up 20.4% year-on-year.
- Monthly Growth: July 2026 alone saw 116 GWh in usage, a 22.1% increase compared to July 2025.
- Market Concentration: The top 10 manufacturers control the majority of the market, with Chinese firms holding 72.8% of the total share.
- SK On Order: SK On recently secured a 1.5 trillion KRW (approx. $1.1 billion) contract for 9 GWh of ESS batteries in the US, marking its first major overseas win of the year.
On the radar
- China’s Solid-State Standard: Reports indicate China is actively pushing for an international standard for solid-state EV batteries while domestic pilot lines scale up. This could impact global certification processes in late 2026.
- BYD Brazil Investment: BYD announced a $97.5 million investment for a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) factory in Brazil, signaling continued expansion into emerging markets for energy storage.
- Korean Q3 Earnings: Investors are watching for Q3 earnings from LGES, Samsung SDI, and SK On to see if ESS momentum continues to offset EV chasm effects after their rare "joint profitability" in Q2.
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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