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中文In August 2026, the lithium battery industry is flashing strong signals across the board: scheduled production hit a new record, energy storage overtook EV batteries as the top demand driver, and cell prices have officially entered an upward cycle.
1. Scheduled Output Breaks 300GWh; Storage Overtakes EV Batteries
According to GGII, China’s lithium battery scheduled production grew 7%–8% month-on-month in August, topping 300GWh for the first time. A survey of 27 battery makers by Bai Chuan Ying Fu puts total August output at 311.85GWh. Energy storage cells accounted for roughly 125GWh — more than 40% of the total — officially overtaking automotive cells as the industry’s primary growth engine. The increment largely comes from overseas utility-scale storage orders: U.S. and Middle East projects are stockpiling ahead of year-end grid connections, and some makers’ delivery schedules have extended into mid-October.
2. Cell Price Hikes Officially Underway
The average price of mainstream 314Ah LFP energy storage cells rose to about RMB 0.365/Wh in August, up nearly 18% from roughly RMB 0.31/Wh at the end of 2025. CATL first raised its 314Ah storage cell price to RMB 0.423/Wh on August 1, and EVE followed with a 2% increase across all domestic cells from September 1. Notably, the increase is uneven: leading makers are passing on costs thanks to brand and quality premiums, while smaller players are squeezed — accelerating capacity consolidation in the low-end segment.
3. Strong H1 Earnings Across the Chain
Storage demand has directly boosted earnings. CATL posted H1 revenue of RMB 276.9 billion, up 54.8% year-on-year, with net profit of RMB 43.28 billion, up 41.98%. EVE and Gotion guided H1 net profit growth of 95%–110% and 227%–323% respectively, while Great Power returned to profitability with storage shipments up 202% year-on-year. GGII data shows China’s H1 lithium battery shipments reached about 1.2TWh, up more than 50% year-on-year, with storage shipments up over 80%. Industry forecasters have raised their 2026 global lithium battery output estimate to 3,200GWh.
4. Policy and Overseas Demand in Sync
On the policy side, three ministries announced a 2% consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries effective September 1, 2026 (rising to 4% in September 2027), ending more than a decade of tax exemption and pushing the industry toward higher value-added, more efficient production. Overseas, the EU plans to add 45GW of storage during 2026–2028 with a 200GW target by 2030, while U.S. utility-scale storage already exceeds 51GW. China’s NEV exports reached 2.354 million units in H1 2026, up 122.9% year-on-year, with EV battery exports also strong.
Implications for Overseas Buyers
Three takeaways: First, mainstream storage cells such as 314Ah are entering an upward price cycle — locking in orders and prices early helps control costs. Second, leading makers’ capacity is running full with longer lead times, so plan your procurement schedule well in advance. Third, as domestic taxes and costs rise, the supply chain is consolidating toward high-quality, cost-effective suppliers. EABK will keep monitoring market developments to provide you with timely industry insights and stable supply solutions.
