In 2025H1, the global NEV market continued to grow, with a remarkable YOY increase of 25%. By country/region, China's NEV sales in H1 2025 remained the global leader, with a penetration rate of 46.6%. Policy support and price wars drove strong growth among domestic brands, and exports reached record highs. In Europe, market demand showed signs of recovery, but NEV growth was only in the low single digits due to subsidy reductions and supply chain bottlenecks, while Chinese automakers accelerated localized layouts to capture market share. The U.S. NEV market lagged behind China and Europe, with high interest rates and policy uncertainty suppressing its potential. Emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Latin America showed early signs of explosive growth.

According to China Trade Remedy Information Network, on August 4, 2025, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) announced its final determination in the Section 337 investigation regarding certain rechargeable batteries and components (Investigation No. 337-TA-1421).

In July 2025, the sodium-ion battery (sodium-ion battery) industry chain exhibited a unique development trend under the dual influence of total expansion and structural adjustment. The proportion of polyanion-type NFPP in cathode materials continued to rise to 69%, while the accelerated release of hard carbon anode capacity drove production to surge more than two-fold YoY.

Last week, as market sentiment cooled, lithium carbonate futures prices pulled back, falling below 70,000 yuan/mt again.

[China Machinery Industry Federation: MIIT to Issue Work Plans for Stabilizing Growth in Machinery, Automotive, and Power Equipment Industries]

Polaris Energy Storage Network learned that, according to the data released by the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance for the period from January to June, the cumulative domestic power battery installations reached 299.6 GWh, representing a cumulative year-on-year (YoY) increase of 47.3%.

The global competition for critical minerals has reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with major powers implementing aggressive strategies to secure supply chains essential for clean energy technologies, defense systems, and advanced electronics.

SMM's monthly production data for base metals is released at the end of each month, aiming to uncover the true fundamentals for industry chain professionals and investors, and providing a clearer grasp of the future direction of the metals market.

In July 2025, SMM's ternary cathode material production rose by 5.75% MoM and increased by 16.65% YoY.