Global Scans · Batteries · Weekly Summary

• [New] Battery capacity in ERCOT is expected to grow from about 15 gigawatts in 2025 to 37 gigawatts by the end of 2027. SolarQuarter
• [New] Technological advancements in 2026, such as the commercialization of solid-state batteries, could reshape demand for critical battery metals. Mexico Business
• [New] EV batteries averaged around $150 per kWh in 2022 and are expected to fall toward $80 per kWh in 2026. Fleet Management Weekly
• [New] 2026 will mark the first year of large-scale industrialization for sodium-ion batteries. SEMIVISION
• [New] The EV and battery storage boom will sustain high lithium demand well into the next decade. Farmonaut
• [New] Battery Recycling Expansion: Lithium recycling is projected to comprise an increasing share of global supply by 2026, though it remains a minority share for now. Farmonaut
• [New] Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution in Spring Hill, Tennessee, will invest $2.3 billion to establish a new lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant, creating 1,300 new jobs. Gray
• [New] Chinese giant CATL plans industrial-scale output of its sodium-ion Naxtra batteries in 2026. Vinylone
• [New] By 2026, solid-state batteries will deliver 600+ mile ranges in Class 8 trucks, reducing charging downtime from 8 hours to 30 minutes per Volvo Trucks' roadmap. HotBot
• [New] By 2026, electric cargo trucks will feature advanced batteries with 500+ mile ranges and rapid charging, supported by nationwide infrastructure expansion, slashing emissions and fuel costs. HotBot
• [New] With end-of-life battery safety in mind, the EU has developed a digital battery passport in the form of a QR code, which will be required on batteries from 2027. Chemistry World
• [New] Stellantis says it will introduce lithium metal quasi-solid-state batteries made by US firm Factorial Energy, into a demonstration fleet in 2026. Chemistry World
• [New] To achieve global competitiveness, Europe will need to invest an estimated €300 billion (~ $348.66 billion) by 2035 across the full battery value chain. Mercomindia.com
• [New] Taking a different approach, Donut labs and Verge Motorcycles partnered to create an alternative EV motorcycle battery with new all-solid-state technology that emphasize safety by providing thermal stability and faster charging, reducing the risk of thermal runaway. ReSource Pro
• [New] Global EV deliveries, including battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, are forecast to increase by 24.5% this year. EV Volumes
• [New] If lithium prices remain elevated as Scotiabank predicts, the economic case for battery recycling will become undeniable. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] A significant portion of the projected demand growth in 2026 is attributed to Battery Energy Storage Systems and the burgeoning needs of AI-driven data centers. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Battery storage is becoming cost-effective; battery costs have dropped by more than 90% since 2010 and are expected to decrease further in the coming years. The Virginian-Pilot
• [New] Geopolitical Security: By utilizing materials that are geopolitically safe, the battery addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities that have plagued traditional lithium-ion battery production, largely concentrated in China. Aerospace & Defense News

Last updated: 25 January 2026