End-use consumption remains weak, and lead-acid battery enterprises are cautious about increasing production [SMM Weekly Review on Lead-acid Battery Operating Rates]

        It is understood that from June 27 to July 3, 2025, the weekly composite operating rate of lead-acid battery enterprises in the five provinces tracked by SMM was 71.83%, up 3.06 percentage points WoW.

As July arrives, the lead-acid battery market enters the transition period between the traditional off-season and peak season. Currently, the end-use consumption performance in the markets for e-bike and automotive batteries is average. However, considering the traditional peak season, some lead-acid battery enterprises have already increased their production. Coupled with the resumption of production by enterprises that were on holiday at the end of June, the weekly operating rate of lead-acid batteries has risen this week. The domestic trade-in policy for consumer goods continues, and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced that the third batch of trade-in funds for consumer goods will be allocated in July. For example, the trade-in subsidy for e-bikes in Shanghai had already ended by the end of June. Immediately following this, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and seven other departments jointly issued the "Implementation Rules for the 2025 Shanghai E-bike Trade-in Subsidy," continuing to provide subsidies for the replacement of whole vehicles in the second half of 2025, which may boost battery consumption to a certain extent. Subsequent attention will be paid to the realization of lead consumption.