5 Most Advanced Countries in Battery Technology

2. United States

Average no. of patents filed between 2017-2019: 41138

The United States had a lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity of 44 GWh in 2021 and it is estimated to reach 91 GWh by 2025. Currently, the US is the second largest battery manufacturer in the world. The advancement of technology is also playing a great role in the manufacturing of batteries. Most of the new and innovative technologies for batteries came from the US. 

In 2020, the US govt strategized the expansion of battery research and development. The government, first, tried to accelerate production, development and public awareness about EVs utility-scale energy storage systems. Moreover, the funding for battery tech research was increased. Their main focus was to develop technologies to reduce their reliance on rare earth metals. Many American automakers are also investing billions in new battery production facilities to secure capacity for their new electric cars (EVs).

The Department of Energy is advocating a wide range of actions to strengthen domestic raw material supply and expand the nation’s capacity for lithium refining and battery production. The size of actual activity, however, is much smaller than what is required to begin catching up to China. The US is also investing in the recycling of battery materials to reduce their environmental impact. In Nov 2022, American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) won USD 10 million in funding to commercialize battery recycling technology.

Some of the largest battery manufacturing companies based in the United States are QuantumScape, A123 Systems, Enovix, Stem, SES AI, Amprius Tech, Solid Power and American Battery Technology Company. Although other countries are producing more batteries globally, the US is the hub for technology and EV manufacturing. Tesla, an EV automobile company, is a US-based company in Nevada. 

QuantumScape is planning to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. These batteries will be able to provide greater energy density, and faster charging and these batteries will be safer to support the transition away from previous energy sources toward a lower carbon future. The market cap of QuantumScape is $2.31 billion 

The demand for lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles is rising significantly. It is expected to reach 9300-gigawatt hours by 2030. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the largest battery supplier in the world based in China, was in discussions with its U.S.-based customers to build a manufacturing hub in North America. The biggest battery manufacturers are located in regions with high electric vehicle demand.