Global Batteries by Product and Market, 11th Edition

High-Value Batteries Find Opportunities in Emerging Applications

Growth will be driven by increased demand for high-value batteries in emerging applications such as electric vehicles and grid storage.

Key Findings in the Global Batteries Study:

Hybrid and Electric Vehicles to be Largest Driver of Growth

Increased penetration of HEVs will fuel rapid demand for batteries worldwide, with lithium-ion products absorbing the bulk of gains. Massive investments in lithium-ion battery production capacity will support price reductions due to improved economies of scale, allowing HEVs to increasingly compete on cost with conventional vehicles. Growth will be particularly strong for products used in electric vehicles, as cost reductions will fuel increased use of high-value high-capacity batteries.

Grid Storage Market Expanding Quickly from Small Base

Battery-based grid storage systems have proliferated rapidly in recent years after commercialization began at a large scale in 2014. Cost reductions for lithium-ion batteries have abruptly made this technology economical, and it is expected that these grid storage systems will become increasingly common as the technology’s efficacy is established. Rapid growth in renewable energy capacity worldwide – particularly for solar energy – will further contribute to an increased need for grid-scale energy storage systems.

Advances in Developing Regions Boosting Sales in Conventional Applications

Growth in sales of alkaline and lead-acid batteries will be spurred by broad economic development in the Asia/Pacific and Africa/Mideast regions, with China and India posting particularly strong growth. Rising personal income levels will drive increased sales of alkaline batteries in consumer replacement applications, with these products displacing low-cost zinc-carbon products. Increased wealth and industrialization will also boost demand for lead-acid batteries in both the OEM and aftermarket segments of the automotive market.

Study Coverage

This industry study presents historical demand, production, and net export data (2007, 2012 and 2017) and forecasts for 2022 by market (automotive, consumer, industrial and other) and region (North America, Central and South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Africa/Mideast). The study also evaluates company market share on a global basis and the competitive strategies of key industry players such as Exide Technologies, GS Yuasa, Johnson Controls, LG Chem, and Panasonic.