Every few weeks, specialized media announce the discovery of a revolutionary new battery. A different chemistry, a promise of greater autonomy, faster recharging, or more sustainable materials.
However, if we look at the market, the reality is different: we continue to rely on the same lithium-ion technologies with different variants, mostly produced in China.
Where is the promised revolution? The answer, as almost always, lies in the difference between the laboratory and the factory.
In science, it is relatively easy to demonstrate in a laboratory that a new battery "works." But turning that test into a viable industrial solution is another matter.
Between a laboratory prototype and mass production, there are years of engineering, validation, investment, and risk. Processes must be safe, repeatable, scalable, and, above all, profitable. And that leap, in most cases, never happens.
In the last year, more than ten battery startups have gone bankrupt, including Sweden's Northvolt, one of Europe's most ambitious projects. Billions have been invested, and a clear lesson is awaiting them: scientific innovation without experience and industrial muscle is not enough.
While the West dreams of new miracle chemicals, China is consolidating its industrial dominance. Today, it manufactures more than 70% of the world's batteries and controls much of the supply chain, from lithium and cobalt to final production.
This is the current global market landscape:
Manufacturer Country of Origin Global Share (approx.)
CATL China 34%
BYD China 16%
LG Energy Solution South Korea 15%
Panasonic Japan 8%
SK On South Korea 6%
Samsung SDI South Korea 5%
CALB China 3%
Gotion High-Tech China 2%
EVE Energy China 2%
Farasis Energy China/USA 2%
More than 60% of global production is in Chinese hands, and that includes not only manufacturing but also proprietary patents and technologies. They are no longer copying: they are now leading.
Entrusting the energy heart of our economy—batteries—to a single country is a huge strategic risk. Europe and the United States are aware of this, but have not yet managed to create a solid industrial alternative.
Incentive programs and public funds do exist, but the results are slow and scattered. Meanwhile, China is moving full speed ahead, with state support, long-term planning, and a clear vision of technological independence.
The result is clear: the West has fallen asleep. For years, it preferred to "buy cheap" rather than invest in its own capacity. And now it finds itself trapped in a dependency that could cost dearly in the future.
We are in a long-distance race... which the West is losing.
From the time a promising battery is developed in the laboratory to its becoming an industrial product, more than 10 years pass. In that time, many startups die, funding dries up, and promises fade.
Therefore, the real revolution is not announcing a new type of battery, but manufacturing it on a large scale, with quality and at a competitive price. And that's where China has the advantage: infrastructure, raw materials, and accumulated industrial experience.
The West has scientific knowledge, talent, and technology, but it lacks something essential: long-term vision. Without it, the headlines will continue to be full of promises… and ships will continue to sail from Shanghai bringing products to the West.
The world's energy future depends on batteries. They're in our cars, cell phones, computers, electrical grids, and solar and wind backup systems. They are at the heart of the energy future.
Europe and the United States still have time to react, but they must do so decisively and quickly. Investing in technological independence is not just an economic issue, but a strategic one. Leaving such crucial technology in the hands of others is equivalent to relinquishing control of the future.
In technology—as in life—he who sleeps pays the price for his comfort. And this time, the price could be very, very high.
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