Manufacturers
There are several large battery manufacturers for Electric Vehicles (EVs) globally.
Last modified: May 01, 2026The EV battery industry is dominated by a relatively small number of large cell manufacturers. These companies supply battery cells to automakers, develop new chemistries, and operate some of the largest battery factories in the world.
Battery manufacturing is also becoming more regional. China has the largest battery supply chain and dominates global cell production, while South Korea and Japan remain important through companies such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On, and Panasonic. Europe and North America are investing heavily in local production, but still depend heavily on Asian cell technology and supply chains.
Leading EV battery manufacturers
CATL
CATL is the world's largest EV battery manufacturer and one of the most important suppliers in the global battery industry.
The company supplies batteries to many major automakers and produces several cell chemistries, including LFP and nickel-based lithium-ion cells. CATL is also active in cell-to-pack battery systems, battery swapping, sodium-ion batteries, and energy storage.
BYD
BYD is both a major EV manufacturer and one of the world's largest battery producers.
The company is best known for its LFP-based Blade Battery, which is used in many BYD vehicles and supplied to some external customers. BYD's vertical integration gives it strong control over battery technology, vehicle design, and production cost.
LG Energy Solution
LG Energy Solution is one of South Korea's largest battery manufacturers and a major supplier to global automakers.
The company produces pouch, prismatic, and cylindrical cells and supplies batteries for many EV platforms, especially in Europe and North America. LG Energy Solution has also invested heavily in joint-venture battery factories with automakers.
Panasonic Energy
Panasonic Energy is a major Japanese battery manufacturer and has historically been one of Tesla's most important cell suppliers.
The company is best known in the EV industry for cylindrical cells, including 18650 and 2170 formats, and is also involved in larger next-generation cylindrical cell development.
Samsung SDI
Samsung SDI is a South Korean battery manufacturer that supplies cells to several premium EV manufacturers.
The company produces prismatic and cylindrical cells and focuses strongly on high-energy-density batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage.
SK On
SK On is a South Korean battery manufacturer supplying EV batteries to several global automakers.
The company has invested heavily in battery production capacity in South Korea, Europe, and North America, often through partnerships with vehicle manufacturers.
CALB
CALB is a large Chinese battery manufacturer and one of the major players behind China's rapid battery-industry expansion.
The company supplies lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage and has grown quickly alongside the Chinese EV market.
Gotion High-Tech
Gotion High-Tech is a Chinese battery manufacturer with a strong focus on LFP battery technology.
The company supplies EV and energy-storage batteries and has international expansion plans, including activity in Europe and North America.
EVE Energy
EVE Energy is a Chinese battery manufacturer producing cells for EVs, energy storage, and other applications.
The company produces cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch cells and is active in both passenger vehicle and commercial battery markets.
Envision AESC
Envision AESC is a battery manufacturer with roots in Japan and strong links to Nissan's early EV battery programs.
The company produces batteries for several automakers and is expanding production capacity in multiple regions.
Other important manufacturers
Several other companies also play important roles in the EV battery market, including:
- Farasis Energy
- SVOLT Energy
- Microvast
- Toshiba
Some of these companies focus on specific markets, chemistries, or vehicle segments. Others are important in selected regions or commercial-vehicle applications even if their global share is smaller than that of the largest suppliers.
Automakers and in-house battery production
Many automakers no longer rely only on external battery suppliers. Instead, they are building battery factories, forming joint ventures, or developing their own cell and pack technologies.
Examples include Volkswagen Group, Tesla, General Motors, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, and Hyundai Motor Group.
In practice, most automakers use a mix of strategies:
- Buying cells from large suppliers
- Building battery packs in-house
- Forming joint ventures with cell manufacturers
- Developing their own future cell technologies
- Localizing battery production for major markets
This means the distinction between battery manufacturer and automaker is becoming less clear.
PowerCo / Volkswagen Group
PowerCo is Volkswagen Group's battery subsidiary. It develops and produces the Group's Unified Cell and is building cell factories in Salzgitter, Valencia, and St. Thomas, Canada.
PowerCo is not yet one of the largest global EV battery suppliers, but it is important because it shows how major automakers are moving deeper into cell development and production.
Tesla
Tesla is unusual because it combines vehicle development, battery-pack design, software, and cell strategy more tightly than most automakers.
Tesla still depends heavily on external cell suppliers such as Panasonic, LG Energy Solution, and CATL, but it also develops its own cell technologies and produces cells in-house for selected applications.
Battery suppliers vs battery pack manufacturers
It is important to separate cell manufacturing from battery-pack assembly.
A company may produce battery cells, while the automaker assembles those cells into modules and packs. In other cases, the supplier may deliver complete battery systems. Some highly integrated manufacturers, such as BYD and Tesla, combine several parts of the battery value chain inside the same company.
This matters because the battery cell strongly affects chemistry, cost, and performance, while the battery pack design affects cooling, structural integration, safety, serviceability, and usable energy.
Market trend
The global EV battery market has shifted strongly toward Chinese manufacturers, especially CATL and BYD. One reason is the growth of LFP batteries, where Chinese suppliers have been especially competitive.
South Korean and Japanese manufacturers remain important, particularly in nickel-rich chemistries and international supply chains, but their global share has come under pressure as LFP adoption has increased.
At the same time, more automakers are trying to secure battery supply through in-house development, joint ventures, and local production.
A note on Northvolt
Northvolt was once seen as Europe's most important homegrown battery challenger, but after its 2025 bankruptcy it is no longer relevant as a current leading EV battery supplier. It remains historically important in discussions about Europe's battery ambitions, but it should not be treated as a top-tier active supplier today.
Factory tour
In the video below, Elliot Richards from the Fully Charged Show gives a tour of a CATL battery factory: