Chinese battery manufacturers have achieved a significant milestone in 2026, securing over half of the global electric vehicle battery market outside of China. New data from SNE Research highlights the rapid growth and expanding influence of Chinese suppliers in the international EV sector.
Chinese Battery Makers Expand Global Presence
In the first nine months of 2026, Chinese battery makers reached a 56.4% share of the overseas electric vehicle battery market. According to SNE Research, this means that one out of every two power batteries installed in EVs outside of China now comes from a Chinese supplier.
From January to September 2026, the total overseas power battery installation volume from Chinese manufacturers reached 426.7 GWh, representing a 24.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth rate outpaced the global market, which expanded by 19.7% year-over-year.
Leading Companies and Market Shares
Six major Chinese battery companies—CATL, BYD, Gotion High-Tech, Svolt, CALB, and Eve Energy—collectively captured a 56.4% share of the overseas market, up more than 13 percentage points from the previous year.
CATL remains the top supplier in the overseas market, with non-Chinese installations reaching 143.7 GWh in the first three quarters of 2026. This marks a 46.7% year-over-year increase, bringing CATL’s overseas market share to 33.7%.
BYD secured the third position, with overseas installations totaling 45.9 GWh, a 66.8% increase year-over-year and a 10.8% market share.
Other Chinese manufacturers also posted strong growth: Eve Energy’s overseas installations grew by 214.6% to 9.5 GWh, Gotion High-Tech by 153.8% to 17.6 GWh, Svolt by 102.3% to 13.1 GWh, and CALB by 88.5% to 10.6 GWh.
Performance of Korean and Japanese Competitors
South Korea’s three major battery manufacturers—LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI—saw their combined share in the non-Chinese market drop from 38.2% to 26.5% in the first three quarters of 2026. Their total overseas installations fell 13.5% year-over-year to 113 GWh.
Japan’s Panasonic, which remains heavily reliant on Tesla, experienced a decline in its overseas market share to 8.4%, with installations reaching 35.6 GWh in the same period.
Why this matters
The latest figures from SNE Research show that Chinese battery manufacturers are playing an increasingly dominant role in the global EV supply chain. Their rapid growth and rising market share reflect changing dynamics in the international battery market, with implications for automakers and suppliers worldwide.
What this means for buyers
Buyers and industry observers should be aware of the growing presence of Chinese battery suppliers in EVs sold outside China. As these companies expand their reach, the types of batteries and suppliers found in new electric vehicles may continue to shift in the coming years.
Key Specs
- Chinese overseas battery market share (Jan-Sep 2026): 56.4%
- Chinese overseas battery installations (Jan-Sep 2026): 426.7 GWh
- Year-over-year growth, Chinese overseas installations: 24.7%
- CATL overseas installations (Jan-Sep 2026): 143.7 GWh
- CATL overseas market share: 33.7%
- BYD overseas installations (Jan-Sep 2026): 45.9 GWh
- BYD overseas market share: 10.8%
- Combined Korean market share (Jan-Sep 2026): 26.5%
- Panasonic overseas market share: 8.4%
Images sourced from: carnewschina.com, recharged.com
