New data from SNE Research reveals that Chinese battery makers continue to dominate the global electric vehicle battery market in the first half of 2026. CATL and BYD together accounted for over half of all global EV battery installations, with seven Chinese companies ranking among the top ten suppliers worldwide.
Global Market Leaders and Growth
CATL maintained its position as the world’s largest EV battery supplier in the first half of 2026, with installations reaching 242.7 GWh—a 25.3% increase year-on-year. This gave CATL a 39.9% share of the global market, up from 38.2% a year earlier.
BYD ranked second, with battery installations totaling 87.7 GWh, representing a modest 1.6% year-on-year increase. However, BYD’s global market share fell to 14.4%, down from 17.0% in the same period last year. Together, CATL and BYD held a combined 54.3% share of the global EV battery market.
Top 10 Suppliers and Market Shares
Seven Chinese companies were among the global top 10 EV battery suppliers in the first half of 2026, collectively holding a 72.4% market share—an increase of 1.5 percentage points from a year earlier.
LG Energy Solution (LGES) ranked third globally, with 52.6 GWh of installations and an 8.6% market share, supplying major automakers such as Tesla, Hyundai Motor Group, GM, and Volkswagen. CALB and Gotion High-tech followed in fourth and fifth place, with 31.2 GWh and 28.0 GWh installed, and market shares of 5.1% and 4.6%, respectively.
Other notable suppliers included Panasonic (22.7 GWh, 3.7% share), Eve Energy (20.9 GWh, 3.4% share), and SK On, which was the only top 10 company to see a decline in installations, dropping 6.7% year-on-year to 19.0 GWh and a 3.1% share.
Regional Performance Outside China
EV battery installations outside China reached 269.0 GWh in the first half of 2026, up 26.3% year-on-year. CATL led these markets as well, with 90.5 GWh installed and a 33.6% share, up from 30.0% a year earlier.
BYD ranked third outside China, with 28.2 GWh installed and a 10.5% market share, up 2.6 percentage points year-on-year. Other Chinese suppliers, including Gotion, Svolt, CALB, and Eve Energy, posted significant growth in overseas markets.
Why this matters
The latest figures highlight the continued strength of Chinese battery manufacturers in the global EV supply chain, with CATL and BYD together accounting for more than half of all battery installations worldwide. The rapid growth of Chinese suppliers, both domestically and internationally, is reshaping the competitive landscape for EV batteries.
These trends are important for automakers and industry stakeholders tracking supply chain dynamics and the evolving market share of leading battery producers.
What this means for buyers
For consumers and fleet operators, the dominance of CATL, BYD, and other Chinese battery makers means that many new EVs—regardless of brand—are likely to be powered by batteries from these suppliers. Buyers should pay attention to battery sourcing when considering long-term support and technology updates for their vehicles.
Key Specs
- Global EV battery usage (H1 2026): 608.5 GWh
- Global EV battery usage growth (YoY): 20.0%
- CATL battery installations (H1 2026): 242.7 GWh
- CATL global market share (H1 2026): 39.9%
- BYD battery installations (H1 2026): 87.7 GWh
- BYD global market share (H1 2026): 14.4%
- Combined market share of 7 Chinese companies (H1 2026): 72.4%
- EV battery installations outside China (H1 2026): 269.0 GWh
Source
Images sourced from: electrek.co, globaltimes.cn
