China has cemented its lead in battery technology, outpacing global rivals in both innovation and industrial scaling.
From lithium-ion breakthroughs to sodium-ion commercialisation, Chinese giants like CATL and BYD are driving faster, safer and more cost-effective battery solutions.
CATL’s second-gen Shenxing battery, based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP), offers a 15-minute charge from 5% to 80% and advertises 520 km of range in just five minutes.
BYD has also unveiled its own super-fast charging battery. These upgrades come from better cathode design, optimised electrolytes and improved electrode structures, showing there’s still performance potential in current-gen tech.
Meanwhile, China is leading the global rollout of sodium-ion batteries, offering better low-temperature performance and a hedge against lithium supply risks.
CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery signals a leap toward mass production.
While Western start-ups are innovating in materials, China dominates manufacturing scale, with sodium battery components already in production.
Yet, as battery innovation accelerates, Western battery players are feeling the squeeze.
Firms like Northvolt and ACC have seen delays and downsizing, as cost competitiveness and energy density hit critical thresholds for EV adoption.
Solid-state batteries and high-silicon anodes promise higher density and safety but face scale-up hurdles.
Alternatives like lithium-manganese-rich cathodes may strike a balance, offering cost savings and performance—especially appealing to Western markets seeking to diversify supply chains beyond China.
According to IDTechEx, future battery market competitiveness will depend not just on chemistry but on speed, strategy and localisation.
