[SMM Weekly Review] Second-Life Application Market Generally Stable, Energy Storage Grade A Price Increase Slowed Down, Small Power Impacted by New Policy, 2026.04.13-2026.04.16

Published: Apr 16, 2026 16:16

Save

The second-life application battery cell market operated in a mediocre manner overall this week, with no significant improvement in market conditions. Cost side, lithium carbonate prices rose, nickel sulphate edged up in tandem, and cobalt sulphate pulled back slightly. Under divergent raw material trends, overall cost support remained relatively stable. Supply side, battery cell enterprises maintained a steady shipments pace, with no notable increase or decrease in market supply. Demand side, structural differentiation was significant: energy storage remained the core driver, with tight supply of mainstream models such as 314Ah and 280Ah, but the price uptrend had clearly slowed down; B-grade battery cells, constrained by higher procurement standards and compliance requirements, struggled to enter the mainstream market, with prices remaining stable. The small power market was significantly impacted by the "Interim Measures for the Recovery and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles" implemented on April 1. The new regulation explicitly prohibits the use of waste power batteries in e-bike and other sectors, creating a temporary gap in previously applicable scenarios. Currently, stable prices in the small power sector were not supported by demand but mainly because lithium, nickel, and cobalt salt prices remained at elevated levels, leaving enterprises limited room for price concessions, with strong wait-and-see sentiment prevailing in the market.

SMM April 16 News:

Second-life application market this week:

The second-life application battery cell market operated in a mediocre manner overall this week, with no notable improvement in market conditions. Cost side, lithium carbonate prices rose, nickel sulphate edged up in tandem, and cobalt sulphate pulled back slightly. Under divergent raw material trends, overall cost support remained relatively stable. Supply side, battery cell enterprises maintained a steady shipments pace, with no significant increase or decrease in market supply. Demand side, structural differentiation was notable: energy storage remained the core driver, with tight supply of mainstream models such as 314Ah and 280Ah, but the price uptrend had clearly slowed down; B-grade battery cells, constrained by higher procurement standards and compliance requirements, struggled to enter the mainstream market, with prices remaining stable. The small power market was significantly impacted by the "Interim Measures for the Recovery and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from NEVs" effective April 1, which explicitly prohibits the use of waste power batteries in e-bikes and other sectors, creating a temporary gap in previously applicable scenarios. Currently, stable prices in the small power sector were not supported by demand, but mainly because lithium, nickel, and cobalt salt prices remained at elevated levels, leaving enterprises limited room for price concessions, with strong wait-and-see sentiment prevailing in the market.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Wang Cong 021-51666838

Ma Rui 021-51595780

Feng Disheng 021-51666714

Lv Yanlin 021-20707875

Lei Yue 021-20707873

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

15 hours ago

Iran's Foreign Minister Declared Hormuz Strait "Open"! International Oil Prices Plunged Sharply in the Short Term

15 hours ago

20 hours ago

Equipped with Dual Qualcomm 8797 Chips, Leap Motor D19 Starting at a Selling Price of 219,800 Yuan

On April 16, Leap Motor D19 was officially launched, offering 7 car models with a selling price range of 219,800–269,800 yuan. As the first car model in the D series, the new vehicle was built on the LEAP 4.0 technology architecture, equipped with dual Qualcomm 8797 chips, VLA advanced driving assistance functions, and automotive-grade oxygen cabin configurations. Power side, Leap Motor D19 offered both range-extended and pure electric powertrains. The range-extended version was built on an 800V high-voltage platform with a 1.5T range extender. The tri-motor version had a combined system power of 400 kW and achieved 0-100 km/h acceleration in the 4-second range, paired with an 80.3 kWh CATL battery pack, delivering a CLTC pure electric driving range of up to 500 km.

20 hours ago

AITO M8 Surpassed 170,000 Deliveries in Its First Year Since Launch

On April 16, Huawei's Managing Director Yu Chengdong announced that the AITO M8 had surpassed 170,000 units in deliveries in its first year since launch, successfully claiming the annual sales championship among SUVs in the 400,000-yuan class.

20 hours ago