The global electric vehicle (EV) battery market continued to grow strongly in the first five months of 2026. According to data from South Korean research firm SNE Research, total EV battery usage worldwide reached 469.2 GWh between January and May 2026. This represents a 16.3% increase compared to the same period last year. 
Chinese battery makers remained the biggest force in the industry. Seven Chinese companies were among the world's top 10 EV battery manufacturers, together holding 72.6% of the global market. Their growing dominance is putting pressure on battery makers from South Korea and Japan.
CATL captured 40.2% of the global market, up from 38.0% during the same period in 2025. This means that roughly four out of every ten EV batteries used worldwide came from CATL.
BYD remained the second-largest battery manufacturer globally. However, its growth was much slower. BYD's battery installations reached 67.6 GWh, up only 0.4% compared to last year. As a result, its market share fell from 16.7% to 14.4%.
Together, CATL and BYD controlled 54.6% of the global EV battery market, showing the strong position of Chinese companies in the fast-growing EV sector.
CALB ranked fourth globally with battery installations of 23.8 GWh and a market share of 5.1%. Its installations increased by 36.3% compared to last year.
Gotion High-tech secured fifth place with 21.7 GWh of installations and a 4.6% market share. The company recorded an impressive 37.0% growth year-on-year.
Eve Energy ranked seventh with 15.4 GWh of installations and a 3.3% market share. Meanwhile, Svolt and Sunwoda secured ninth and tenth positions with market shares of 2.6% and 2.4%, respectively.
The strong performance of these companies highlights China's growing influence in the global EV supply chain.
SK On faced a tougher period. Its installations fell 5.8% to 15.8 GWh, reducing its market share to 3.4%.
Japan's Panasonic also saw a decline. Battery installations dropped 8.5% to 15.1 GWh, giving it a 3.2% market share. The slowdown was partly linked to weaker growth from key customer Tesla.
With Chinese companies continuing to expand rapidly, the global EV battery market is becoming increasingly dominated by China, while Japanese and South Korean rivals face growing competition.
Chinese battery makers remained the biggest force in the industry. Seven Chinese companies were among the world's top 10 EV battery manufacturers, together holding 72.6% of the global market. Their growing dominance is putting pressure on battery makers from South Korea and Japan.
CATL Strengthens Its Global Leadership
Chinese battery giant CATL continued to dominate the global EV battery market. The company installed 188.4 GWh of batteries during January-May 2026, an increase of 22.9% year-on-year.CATL captured 40.2% of the global market, up from 38.0% during the same period in 2025. This means that roughly four out of every ten EV batteries used worldwide came from CATL.
BYD remained the second-largest battery manufacturer globally. However, its growth was much slower. BYD's battery installations reached 67.6 GWh, up only 0.4% compared to last year. As a result, its market share fell from 16.7% to 14.4%.
Together, CATL and BYD controlled 54.6% of the global EV battery market, showing the strong position of Chinese companies in the fast-growing EV sector.
Chinese Companies Continue To Expand
Several other Chinese battery manufacturers also reported strong growth during the first five months of 2026.CALB ranked fourth globally with battery installations of 23.8 GWh and a market share of 5.1%. Its installations increased by 36.3% compared to last year.
Gotion High-tech secured fifth place with 21.7 GWh of installations and a 4.6% market share. The company recorded an impressive 37.0% growth year-on-year.
Eve Energy ranked seventh with 15.4 GWh of installations and a 3.3% market share. Meanwhile, Svolt and Sunwoda secured ninth and tenth positions with market shares of 2.6% and 2.4%, respectively.
The strong performance of these companies highlights China's growing influence in the global EV supply chain.
South Korean And Japanese Rivals Face Challenges
South Korea's LG Energy Solution remained the third-largest battery maker globally. It installed 41.0 GWh of batteries and held an 8.7% market share. Although its battery usage increased by 7.3%, its market share declined because the overall market grew faster.SK On faced a tougher period. Its installations fell 5.8% to 15.8 GWh, reducing its market share to 3.4%.
Japan's Panasonic also saw a decline. Battery installations dropped 8.5% to 15.1 GWh, giving it a 3.2% market share. The slowdown was partly linked to weaker growth from key customer Tesla.
With Chinese companies continuing to expand rapidly, the global EV battery market is becoming increasingly dominated by China, while Japanese and South Korean rivals face growing competition.