EV Batteries and Charging: LFP, Solid-State, CATL, LG — 2026-10-17
CATL’s global patent lead and domestic market share fluctuations define the week, as the Chinese giant navigates a "de-CATL" trend among automakers while maintaining dominance in LFP and solid-state R&D. Meanwhile, Korean battery makers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are pivoting aggressively toward ESS to offset EV demand softness, with Samsung SDI converting US lines to LFP production.
EV Batteries and Charging: LFP, Solid-State, CATL, LG — 2026-10-17
Top developments
CATL Surpasses LG Energy Solution in Global Battery Patents
CATL has officially overtaken LG Energy Solution to claim the top spot in global battery patent rankings, marking a significant shift from the era of Japanese and Korean dominance in battery intellectual property. This milestone underscores CATL’s rapid accumulation of technical moats, particularly in LFP and sodium-ion chemistries.
Changan and CATL Expand Joint Venture to 75 GWh with Solid-State Focus
On October 14, Changan Automobile and CATL announced they are deepening their collaboration by expanding their joint venture, Times Changan, to establish battery lines with a total capacity of 75 GWh. The partnership explicitly targets the development of solid-state batteries (SSBs) aiming for 1,500 km range and sodium-ion cells, signaling a major industrial commitment to next-generation chemistries beyond standard LFP.
Samsung SDI Converts US JV Line to LFP for ESS
Samsung SDI has begun mass-producing prismatic LFP batteries at its joint venture plant in Indiana, specifically converting production lines to serve the Energy Storage System (ESS) market rather than EVs. This move, reported on October 15, reflects the Korean maker’s strategy to capitalize on North American ESS demand amid softer EV sales, leveraging local production to meet US regulatory requirements.
Korean Battery Makers’ Q3 Forecasts Diverge on ESS Strength
Analysts predict a mixed Q3 earnings report for Korea’s battery trio: LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are expected to maintain profitability driven by strong ESS sales and cylinder battery shipments, while SK On faces continued losses. LG Energy Solution’s stock target was raised by Meritz Securities to 510,000 KRW, citing ESS growth as a key differentiator against EV sector headwinds.
September China Battery Installations: CATL Share Slips Slightly
In September 2026, CATL’s domestic market share in China fell to 40.92%, down 0.52 percentage points from August, while BYD’s share dropped by 4 percentage points. Despite the monthly dip, CATL’s year-to-date share remains robust at 44.16%, though industry observers note a "de-CATL" trend where automakers diversify suppliers to reduce dependency.
Local view
China (Sina & 21st Century Business Herald): Chinese media highlights the strategic tension in the domestic battery sector. 21st Century Business Herald notes that while 2030 is the target year for solid-state commercialization in China, Japan, and Korea, CATL and other leaders are racing to build pilot lines (e.g., CATL’s 1 GWh sulfide-based line) to avoid falling behind. Sina Weibo discussions focus on the "de-CATL" phenomenon, with analysts questioning why CATL’s share rises despite automakers’ stated intent to diversify, attributing it to CATL’s unmatched cost and performance in LFP.
South Korea (News1 & Bloter): News1 reports that Korean battery makers are accelerating the localization of LFP cathode materials to bypass US restrictions on Chinese raw materials, with LG Energy Solution negotiating multi-trillion won supply deals with domestic supplier L&F. Bloter emphasizes that "one-off profits" from customer compensation and ESS sales are the primary drivers keeping LG and Samsung SDI profitable, masking underlying EV demand weakness.
Context & numbers
- China Domestic Installations (Sept 2026): Total power battery installation was 87.2 GWh. CATL installed 35.49 GWh (40.92% share); BYD installed 18.4 GWh (approx. 21.09% share).
- Global Installations (Jan-Aug 2026): Total global usage reached 844.2 GWh (+19.7% YoY). CATL led with 333.0 GWh (39.4% share), followed by BYD with 127.9 GWh (15.1% share).
- LFP Market Dominance: In China, LFP batteries accounted for 82.8% of cumulative installations through September 2026, totaling 477.2 GWh.
- Solid-State Timelines: China’s seven-ministry plan targets initial large-scale application of all-solid-state batteries by 2030. CATL’s pilot line aims for 90% yield by Q4 2026, with small-batch production targeted for 2027.
On the radar
- Gotion’s Morocco Gigafactory: Commissioning of equipment at Gotion’s $1.3 billion plant in Morocco is scheduled for the week of October 20, marking Africa’s first major EV battery gigafactory.
- European Battery Debt Talks: Renault-backed battery maker Verkor (and similar entities) are entering lender talks to extend debt terms due to production ramp-up delays, highlighting the financial pressure on European gigafactories.
- NACS Expansion: Tesla continues to open its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs, with over 3,000 locations now accessible, solidifying NACS as the de facto standard in North America.
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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