time：2025-09-03 source：高工鋰電
In the first seven months of 2025, China's lithium-ion battery exports continued to show strong growth momentum. According to customs data, the export volume from January to July reached 2.567 billion units, a year-on-year increase of 18.74%; The export value was 41.143 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 26.2%. Among them, the monthly export volume in July was 7.047 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 31.66% and a month on month increase of 6.77%, showing particularly impressive performance.
Structurally speaking, power batteries are still the main export force. According to other data, from January to July, China's cumulative exports of power and other batteries reached 150.5 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 53.1%, with power batteries accounting for over 64%.
Except for CATL, which continues to lead exports, companies such as BYD, Zhongchuang Aviation, Guoxuan High tech, Honeycomb Energy, and Ruipu Lanjun have all outperformed the industry average in export growth, becoming important drivers of growth.
The German new energy vehicle market is recovering
Drive lithium battery exports
In terms of regional markets, Germany replaced the United States as China's largest exporter of lithium-ion batteries after May. The export amount to Germany from January to July was 7.753 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 31.71%, accounting for 18.8% of the total.
The recovery of the German new energy vehicle market is a key driving force. According to GGII data, the installed capacity of power batteries in Germany reached 19GWh in the first half of the year, second only to China and the United States. Especially in July, due to the low base of last year's subsidy reduction, the sales of electric vehicles in Germany rebounded significantly.
In terms of segmentation, PHEV sales increased by 83.6% year-on-year, while BEV sales increased by 58% year-on-year. The BMW IX1 has entered the top ten sales in the German market. BMW, which is betting on the large cylinder route in its electrification strategy, has confirmed cooperation with CATL, Farview Power, and EVE Energy China battery companies.
At the same time, Chinese brands have also shown outstanding performance in Germany. BYD's sales of 1126 vehicles increased by 389.6% year-on-year, surpassing Tesla to become the best-selling non European electric vehicle brand in Germany. MG, Leapmotor, and Xiaopeng also achieved breakthroughs. Corresponding battery suppliers such as BYD, Ruipu Lanjun, and Zhongchuang Chuanghang have benefited accordingly.
The US market is subject to tariffs
But the demand is still there
The United States remains China's second largest export market, with exports of $7.418 billion from January to July, a slight increase of 0.39% year-on-year, accounting for 18%. Despite high tariff barriers, American car companies still rely on Chinese batteries. For example, General Motors plans to import CATL lithium iron phosphate batteries for use in the new generation Chevrolet Bolt model. Although General Motors emphasizes that it will mass produce low-cost batteries locally in the future, it is still difficult to get rid of its dependence on Chinese supply during the transition period.
However, the electrification process in the United States is subject to significant fluctuations due to policy influences. The adjustment of subsidy policies and the lag in local supply chain construction have led to uncertainty in the electric vehicle market, which has also limited further growth in battery exports.
Southeast Asia Vietnam highlights vitality
The rapid electrification of two wheeled vehicles
Vietnam, which owns the local star company VinFast, has a higher acceptance of electric vehicles among consumers, whether in passenger cars or two wheelers. Vietnamese media have stated that more and more Southeast Asian consumers are choosing Chinese electric vehicles. But in the Vietnamese market, Chinese car companies are unable to compete with VinFast, which indirectly reflects the inherent vitality of Vietnam's domestic electrification market.
As of June 2025, VinFast has delivered a total of 68000 electric vehicles in the Vietnamese market, setting a new historical high. In June, VinFast delivered over 11000 electric vehicles in the Vietnamese market, while small electric vehicles, urban hatchbacks, and commercial electric vehicles also maintained stable growth.
It is worth mentioning that in terms of two wheelers, Vietnam has the highest penetration rate of electrification in Southeast Asia. In the first half of 2025, the Vietnamese electric motorcycle market achieved a leapfrog growth, with sales reaching approximately 209000 units, a year-on-year increase of 99.2%. This market is mainly occupied by Vietnamese and Chinese brands, with VinFast accounting for over 55% of it.
VinFast is deeply integrated with Guoxuan High Tech in the power battery sector. Guoxuan High Tech participated in VinFast's IPO subscription and is a core battery supplier for VinFast.
Energy storage demand traction
Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Australia have seen significant increases in imports
In addition to the demand for automobiles, energy storage has become another major engine driving exports. Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Australia have all engaged in large-scale cooperation with Chinese companies in the field of energy storage.
The Saudi market is particularly hot. In 2025, Haichen Energy Storage won the bid for the 1000MW/4000MWh energy storage system project of Saudi Electricity Company, with a total amount of 364 million US dollars. Combined with previous contracts with BYD and Sunac, Chinese companies have won bids for over 24GWh of capacity in Saudi Arabia.
In Chile, Sunac and BYD have successively won large orders, among which BYD's cooperation project with Spain's Grenergy in Chile has reached a total of 6.5 GWh.
In Australia, CATL has partnered with ACE Energy to supply 3GWh of energy storage systems, with a cumulative order volume of 28GWh in the local market.
From export scale to industrial discourse power
Overall, China's lithium battery exports have expanded from a single quantity to gradually reshape their industrial discourse on global electrification and energy transformation. The breakthrough in the European market, the dependence on the US market, the vitality of Southeast Asia, and the vast space of the energy storage market have jointly accelerated the globalization of China's battery industry.
It is worth noting that different markets exhibit characteristics of business differentiation.
Europe places greater emphasis on the deep integration of the automotive industry chain, while the United States experiences significant demand fluctuations due to policy games. The focus of electrification in Southeast Asia is on two wheelers, but the new energy vehicle market also shows potential, while the Middle East, Latin America, and Australia focus on energy storage.
Chinese battery companies not only maintain technological leadership and cost advantages, but also have great potential in the globalization of the lithium battery industry, such as industry chain cooperation and overseas localization layout.
滬公網(wǎng)安備 31011502020151號
Click to consult
021-51036266
