Consumption pickup for e-bike batteries encourages operation at lead-acid battery mills 

SHANGHAI, Jul 26 (SMM) – Chinese lead-acid battery producers operated at higher rates this week as high-temperature weather improved consumption of electric bicycle (e-bike) batteries. 

Distributors reported greater orders for e-bike batteries. Rising lead prices spurred purchases by distributors and eased inventory pressure at battery mills, which also accounted for the higher operating rates. 

The average rate across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hebei provinces climbed 1.98 percentage points from the previous week to stand at 49.98% in the week to Friday July 26.

However, producers of car batteries remained in low gear as downstream consumption failed to pick up and as summer break at automakers continued. Distributors kept procuring automobile batteries as required, SMM learned. 

A traditional peak season in August-September for the e-bike battery market could further improve near-term operating rates.