Improved e-bike battery demand lifts operating rates at lead-acid battery producers

SHANGHAI, Aug 2 (SMM) – Operations across lead-acid battery producers in China further ramped up this week, as improving demand for electric bike batteries prompted small and medium-sized producers to follow larger ones to step up production.

An SMM survey showed that the average operating rate across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hebei provinces rose for a second straight week, gaining 0.4 percentage point from the prior week to stand at 50.38% in the week to August 2.

The growth was moderate as weaker lead prices kept battery producers cautious.

Producers, meanwhile, extended their production curtailments on batteries for automobiles, with some even planning a slight deepening in August, as domestic automakers continued their summer break and as replacement demand limitedly improved. Tepid export orders could not offer support, either.