- China's lithium battery demand hit 671.2 GWh Jan–Apr, up 51% year‑on‑year.
- Energy storage demand surged 90% to 176.9 GWh and grew 196% in April alone.
- Battery exports exploded, reaching 254.99 GWh Jan–Apr, up 65% year‑on‑year.
Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), today released the lithium battery analysis report for April 2026.
From a total volume perspective, the lithium battery industry remained in a high-prosperity period from January to April 2026, with total demand across all applications reaching 671.2 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 51%.
Among this, demand related to new energy vehicles (NEVs) totaled 494.3 GWh, up 41% year-on-year, remaining the largest fundamental segment of the industry. Demand from energy storage and other applications accumulated to 176.9 GWh, a sharp year-on-year increase of 90%, becoming the core engine driving industry growth.
The change in structural composition is particularly critical. The share of NEV demand fell from 83% in 2025 to 74% in January–April 2026, while the share of energy storage demand rose from 17% to 26%.
The energy storage segment is the biggest highlight of lithium battery demand in 2026.
From January to April, cumulative demand for lithium batteries in energy storage and other applications reached 176.9 GWh, a year-on-year growth rate as high as 90%. In April alone, demand stood at 44.79 GWh, up 196% year-on-year and 68% month-on-month, far exceeding growth rates in other application scenarios.
The report points out that behind this explosive growth are the continued expansion of utility-scale and residential storage projects supporting global renewable energy installations, as well as the rising electrification rate in small-power scenarios such as power tools and two-wheeled vehicles.
Looking at seasonal patterns, May through December is traditionally the peak season for energy storage demand. If the current growth rate continues, full‑year energy storage sales in 2026 are expected to reach a new record high.
The export segment is another major driver of lithium battery demand in 2026.
From January to April, the cumulative demand for batteries installed in exported new energy passenger vehicles reached 50.65 GWh, a year‑on‑year growth rate of 111%. In April alone, demand stood at 15.93 GWh, up 102% year‑on‑year and 24% month‑on‑month, continuing a strong growth trend.
Broader data from customs statistics: from January to April 2026, China’s cumulative lithium‑ion battery exports reached 254.99 GWh according to customs data, up 65% year‑on‑year. In April alone, exports were 62.06 GWh, up 39% year‑on‑year and 52% month‑on‑month.
In contrast to the high growth in energy storage and exports, domestic retail sales of new energy passenger vehicles showed signs of slowing.
From January to April 2026, cumulative lithium battery demand from domestic retail NEV passenger vehicles reached 133.28 GWh, a slight year‑on‑year decrease of 2%. However, demand in April alone stood at 40.76 GWh, up 8% year‑on‑year and 79% month‑on‑month, showing signs of a rebound in the end‑market.
Against the backdrop of pressure on passenger vehicle retail sales, the new energy commercial vehicle segment performed strongly.
From January to April, cumulative domestic battery demand from new energy commercial vehicles reached 48.21 GWh, up 50% year‑on‑year. In April alone, demand stood at 18.49 GWh, up 73% year‑on‑year and 187% month‑on‑month. Battery demand for exported new energy commercial vehicles from January to April totaled 7.17 GWh, up 26% year‑on‑year.
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