6 Chinese manufacturers account for 56.4% of the electric vehicle battery market outside their borders

Chinese battery manufacturers are expanding their dominance beyond their domestic market. In the first nine months of 2026, six companies from this Asian country together captured 56.4% of the market for batteries installed in electric vehicles sold outside China, up from 43.1% a year earlier. This is revealed in a report by South Korean consultancy SNE Research, which identifies CATL as the leading player and confirms BYD’s strong growth. Meanwhile, South Korea’s three top manufacturers lost nearly twelve percentage points in market share during the same period.

Six Chinese companies hold over half of the international market

SNE Research data show a significant shift in the distribution of the automotive battery market. From January to September 2026, electric vehicles sold outside China were equipped with batteries totaling 426.7 GWh in capacity, 24.7% more than during the same period the previous year.

This growth exceeds the 19.7% recorded globally, driven especially by Europe and other Asian markets. The six Chinese companies among the top ten international manufacturers (CATL, BYD, Gotion, Svolt, CALB, and EVE Energy) increased their combined share from 43.1% to 56.4%.

CATL maintains its leadership with 143.7 GWh, a 46.7% increase, accounting for 33.7% of the market. BYD ranks third globally outside of China, just behind LG, with 45.9 GWh and a 66.8% growth rate, its share rising from 8% to 10.8%.

CATL and BYD together account for 44.5% of the analyzed market, representing almost half of all installed battery capacity.

Korean manufacturers lose ground as CATL grows in Europe

The trend is different from that of LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI. These three South Korean manufacturers accumulated 113 GWh, 13.5% less than the previous year, while their combined market share dropped from 38.2% to 26.5%.

Most of the decline came from North America, where the volume of batteries installed nearly halved. In contrast, CATL is significantly strengthening its position in Europe. The company achieved 96.8 GWh in Europe, a 35.4% increase, as it continues to expand its industrial capacity in the region.

Its factory in Debrecen, Hungary, began trial production on two lines in September, aiming to boost supply to manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Other Chinese suppliers are also progressing rapidly. Gotion saw its volume increase by 153.8%, while EVE Energy grew by 214.6%.

LFP batteries drive China’s progress in Europe

A key factor behind this transformation is the growing acceptance of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. According to SNE Research, their share outside China has risen from 15.8% to 27.7% in just one year.

Their cost competitiveness is enabling their use in new electric vehicle models, especially in entry-level segments. For European manufacturers, this development poses a significant industrial challenge: they need affordable batteries to compete on price while also reducing their reliance on foreign suppliers.

CATL’s and other Chinese manufacturers’ expansion through European plants can bring production closer to their customers, though it does not change the corporate origin of these companies.

The report confirms that Chinese leadership no longer depends solely on its massive domestic market. It is also growing strongly in electric vehicles sold outside China.