[EV: BAIC Foton unveils ultra-fast charging ecosystem strategy, planning 5,000 stations across 368 cities]

At the 2026 Zero Carbon Road Europe PV & Energy Storage Summit, hosted by SMM and supported by ACCIÓ (the Government of Catalonia's trade and investment agency), Li Yisha, Senior ESS Analyst at SMM, shared insights on "European ESS Market Transformation: Demand Reshaping, Product Evolution, and Supply Chain Restructuring." She noted that, looking ahead to the global ESS market from 2025 to 2027, SMM expects global ESS demand to rise to around 1,000 GWh in 2026, up roughly 74% YoY from 2025, with 2028 demand expected to increase about 22% YoY from 2027. In Europe, new ESS installations reached approximately 36 GWh in 2025, including about 10.2 GWh of residential ESS. Supported by renewable energy buildout, GW-scale project deliveries, and evolving residential policies, European ESS installations, system shipments, and battery cell shipments are all expected to maintain growth in 2026-2027.

The EMME nickel-cobalt processing project held its launch event on November 10 in Parempuyre near Bordeaux, attended by France’s industry minister. The project envisages approximately €500 million in investment and commissioning in 2029. It aims to supply nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate and other cathode feedstocks to Europe’s EV battery industry, strengthening French and European critical mineral supply capabilities. According to the developer’s public information, planned annual production is 20,000 tonnes of contained nickel and 3,000 tonnes of contained cobalt for nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery materials. Feedstocks include nickel and cobalt hydroxides, with plans to use European battery-production scrap and end-of-life battery materials. Supporting facilities include a materials-science laboratory and an industrial port logistics terminal. Located in the Grattequina port area on the Garonne’s left bank, the project plans to handle its main logistics flows by sea and inland waterways. The project is expected to support around 500 jobs, including approximately 200 direct positions. Local authorities issued environmental authorization on July 3, 2026. However, residents and environmental groups continue to question the location and flood risks, and permit-related litigation remains unresolved. The event marked the project’s launch rather than production startup; construction, financing and compliance with environmental requirements remain necessary.

Electra released its third-quarter results and a construction update for its Ontario cobalt refinery on November 9. Approximately C$46 million in construction contracts has been committed against a total budget of around C$100 million, with the project remaining on budget. Early commissioning of selected utilities and process circuits is targeted for Q4 2026, followed by commercial production in H2 2027. Around 130 personnel are on site. Crystallization equipment and effluent-treatment facilities have been installed, with commissioning preparations advancing alongside construction. The refinery is designed to process approximately 18,000 tonnes of cobalt hydroxide feed annually, producing battery-grade cobalt sulfate containing 5,120 tonnes of cobalt. All feedstock required for commissioning and initial ramp-up through 2027 has been secured, and Glencore’s supply agreement has been extended through 2031. Approximately 60% of planned cobalt sulfate output is committed to LG Energy Solution. At quarter-end, cash and undrawn government funding totalled approximately C$82.8 million, comprising C$23.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and C$59.3 million in government funding. Electra is progressing definitive agreements with WMC for a five-year working-capital facility and commercial partnership covering feedstock financing, logistics, product qualification and sales of corresponding output. Due diligence, final documentation and relevant approvals remain outstanding.