No country has completely transitioned all battery applications from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries, but the global trend shows a strong and ongoing shift toward lithium-ion technology, especially in electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy storage.
Key points:
- Gradual Global Transition: The move from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries is gradual and driven by technological improvements, environmental concerns, and evolving energy needs. Lead-acid batteries are still used but increasingly relegated to specific niche applications while lithium-ion batteries dominate new markets.
- China’s Leading Role: China is currently the world’s leader in lithium-ion battery production and use, particularly with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, favored by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. For example, around 95% of LFP batteries for electric light-duty vehicles (LDVs) are used in Chinese-made cars. Major companies like BYD, the world’s largest LFP battery maker, are driving this trend with extensive production and innovation.
- Other Major Producers: Besides China, the United States, Poland, Sweden, and South Korea hold significant lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity, but their share of the supply chain in battery metals and cells remains smaller compared to China.
- Dominance in EV Markets: Lithium-ion batteries have become the default for EVs globally. The demand for automotive lithium-ion batteries jumped significantly from 330 GWh in 2021 to 550 GWh in 2022, underscoring the rapid adoption of lithium-ion technology over legacy lead-acid batteries in transportation.
In summary, while no single country has completely eliminated lead-acid batteries, China stands out as the leader successfully shifting its automotive industry and energy storage sectors to lithium-ion technology. This transition is supported by large-scale investments, dominant manufacturing capacity, and market demand for cleaner, higher-performance batteries. Other countries are participating but have not fully replaced lead-acid batteries as comprehensively as China.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/are-there-any-countries-that-have-successfully-transitioned-from-lead-acid-to-lithium-ion-batteries/
