Analysis: High-profile Australian lithium producers make moves despite having an uncertain environment

At the 2026 annual forum of the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance, Ma Xiaoli, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center for Power Batteries, said that China's power battery installation demand for the full year 2026 is expected to reach 888.7 GWh, up 15.8% YoY. Of which, passenger NEV installation demand reaches 672.7 GWh, up 10.8% YoY, and new energy commercial vehicle installation demand reaches 216.1 GWh, up 34.7% YoY.

On July 1, BYD's Special Advisor for the European market, Altavilla Alfredo, revealed that BYD plans to seek a "brownfield" site to expand its European production layout, but the competitiveness of the German manufacturing site raises his doubts. Currently, Spain and France have been shortlisted, and the final decision is about to be announced.