China, Europe, Tesla and the Pandemic define the 2020 Battery Market

China, Europe, Tesla and the pandemic define the 2020 Lithium Battery market for Electric Vehicles.

64.7 GWh of battery cells were deployed in sold HEVs, PHEVs and EVs between Jan.-Aug 2020, which corresponds to a market decline of -9% YoY.

The lower demand for Batteries was caused by low sales numbers of xEVs in H1 2020 in CN and the US as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Chinese players with focus on the domestic market were hit hardest, apart from CALB all of them sold less batteries in a YoY comparision. However, xEV sales are increasing quickly again in CN thanks to extended subsidies and other favorable policies. Therefore, CATL will likely reclaim 1st place from LG Chem in 2020.

Despite the pandemic, Europe has become the fastest growing xEV market with sales numbers up +90% YoY between 1-8 2020. The European market is mainly relying on local batteries from LG Poland, SDI Hungary, SKI Hungary and AESC UK. Especially the Korean's benefitted and were able to increase sales numbers significantly in 2020.

LG, CATL and Panasonic are suppliers to Tesla, which contributes a significant amount to their sales numbers.