SHANGHAI, Jul (SMM) - Operating rates across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces gained 0.4 percentage point from July 9 to 69.41% as of Friday July 16.

Battery consumption changed after mid-July. The replacement demand in the electric bicycle battery market rebounded, and rising battery prices boosted expectations, bringing more orders to some companies. The companies planned to increase production. However, it is harder for workers to operate in the plants due to the frequent high temperatures in July, so the production remain largely unchanged in most companies. Car battery consumption was still flat, and the production was basically stable with the schedule based on the sales.