CONNECT WITH US
Wednesday 23 July 2025
Chinese EVs surge globally but face mounting international roadblocks
China overtook Japan in 2023 to become the world's top automobile exporter — a symbolic milestone for its surging electric vehicle (EV) industry. From battery-electric (BEV) to plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), Chinese automakers are winning attention for their unmatched price-to-performance ratio, drawing concern from legacy manufacturers in the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
Tuesday 22 July 2025
The battery split: Tesla distances from China, one cell at a time
In a significant shift within Tesla's supply chain, the electric vehicle maker is expected to adopt high-energy nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries from South Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) for its new rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Model 3 variant, marking a departure from its prior reliance on China's CATL and its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells.
Sunday 20 July 2025
China's grip on cathode tech exposes fragility in U.S. and EU battery ambitions
China's Ministry of Commerce recently announced new export restrictions on "battery cathode material preparation technologies," along with five lithium refining technologies and overseas lithium battery technology transfers. This move effectively tightens China's control over the lithium battery supply chains in Europe and the US.
Friday 18 July 2025
Stellantis scraps hydrogen van launch, casting doubt on fuel cell future
Stellantis has announced it is scrapping its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) program and cancelling plans to launch a hydrogen-powered van in 2025, delivering a major blow to the nascent hydrogen mobility sector and raising fresh questions about the commercial viability of hydrogen in the automotive industry.
Friday 18 July 2025
Tesla, GM move to localize LFP supply chain amid China clampdown
China has imposed new export controls on key materials and technologies tied to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a move industry insiders say global supply chains had been preparing for. As US President Donald Trump rolls out a second wave of tariffs, the shift toward localized EV and battery manufacturing is accelerating across the US market.
Friday 18 July 2025
South Korea's battery industry faces challenges and opportunities amid emerging sectors and geopolitical shifts
South Korea's electric vehicle (EV) battery market is currently under pressure from China, with major players experiencing a year-over-year decline in market share, signaling a significant crisis. However, faced with growing demand for advanced batteries in emerging fields and complex geopolitical changes, South Korean manufacturers continue to demonstrate technological and market adaptability, striving to maintain influence in the global market.
Thursday 17 July 2025
LGES and GM jointly build LFP EV battery production line in the US, LMR batteries to become next focus
LG Energy Solution (LGES) and General Motors (GM) have decided to convert the second factory of their joint venture, Ultium Cells, located in Spring Hill, Tennessee, from producing nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) ternary batteries to manufacturing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Thursday 17 July 2025
Taiwan Cement's battery unit starts insurance claims after plant fire
Taiwan Cement Corporation's lithium battery brand Molicel has begun insurance claim procedures following a fire at its ternary energy facility in Kaohsiung. The incident won't affect TCC's overall credit rating, with existing premium orders being redirected to the company's Southern Taiwan Science Park plant.
Wednesday 16 July 2025
China restricts cathode material technology exports; LMFP becomes strategic resource, says HCM
Leading battery cathode material manufacturer HCM announced that China's Ministry of Commerce has officially imposed export restrictions on "battery cathode material preparation technology." HCM is actively establishing a demonstration production line for lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), highlighting Taiwan's increasingly important role in energy autonomy policy.
Wednesday 16 July 2025
EV disputes remain a roadblock to EU-China relations
As the European Union and China prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with a high-level summit in Beijing at the end of July 2025, the atmosphere behind closed doors is far from festive. The main issue at hand is the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), which have become a contentious point in the increasingly complex trade relationship between the EU and China.
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Taiwan Cement launches full investigation into Molicel plant fire
Following the fire that broke out at Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) subsidiary Molicel's Kaohsiung plant in the early morning on July 14, TCC chairman Nelson Chang has conducted a comprehensive review and ordered a thorough investigation into whether the sensors and multi-stage fire suppression system at the lithium battery plant failed.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
Molicel factory fire prompts 3-day air quality monitoring in Kaohsiung
A fire broke out at lithium battery maker Molicel's factory in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on July 14, 2025. Taiwan's Ministry of Environment (MOE) has commissioned National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology to establish a toxic disaster response center in response to air quality concerns. Aside from trace amounts of hydrofluoric acid detected in the morning, no other abnormalities were detected at any of the monitoring points in areas around the factory. The center will continue to monitor the air around the factory and Linhai Industrial Park for the next three days.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
Taiwan solar industry group denies toxic leakage concerns after typhoon damage
Taiwan's photovoltaic industry association dismissed public concerns about toxic liquid leakage from solar panels damaged by Typhoon Danas, saying the public is confusing solar cells with household batteries.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
Taiwan battery, solar sectors face safety scrutiny amid global expansion push
Taiwan's lithium battery and solar industries are confronting safety challenges that mirror risks seen across international markets, even as the government maintains support for domestic manufacturing of these strategic materials.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
Taiwan Cement's battery unit hit by fire as transformation drive stalls
A flash fire at Taiwan Cement's lithium battery subsidiary Molicel threatens to derail the company's pivot away from traditional cement operations, highlighting risks as Asian manufacturers rush into the electric vehicle supply chain.
Monday 14 July 2025
SK On partners with L&F to build North American LFP battery supply chain
SK On signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korean battery cathode materials company L&F to promote its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery business targeting the North American energy storage system (ESS) market.
Monday 14 July 2025
Taiwan's CAEC surges 877% on chip industry battery demand
Taiwan's Changs Ascending Enterprise Co. (CAEC) posted June revenue of NT$48.6 million (approx. US$1.5 million), up 877% from a year earlier, as semiconductor manufacturers adopted its lithium iron phosphate battery systems for uninterrupted power supply applications.
Thursday 10 July 2025
Ford reboots US battery plant after tax shift clears CATL licensing path
Ford will move forward with its US$3 billion lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, after the Trump administration's US$3.4 trillion budget bill preserved key production tax credits. The change clears the way for Ford to use LFP technology licensed from China's CATL, which was previously restricted under US trade rules.
Thursday 10 July 2025
US auto market resets as Trump shuts door on Chinese electric cars
President Donald Trump's return to the White House may have dealt a blow to the clean energy subsidies championed under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but his administration is doubling down on "America First" manufacturing and mounting a fierce blockade against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
Thursday 10 July 2025
Three questions for Taiwan and its attempt to build a fully integrated EV industry

Taiwan's electric scooter market appears to be entering a new phase—one defined by a tripartite division of battery-swapping networks. But with limited space, dense urban populations, and room still left for adoption growth, a fundamental question arises: How many battery-swapping systems does Taiwan need? And more importantly, what are the hidden costs and long-term risks that come with this model?

Thursday 10 July 2025
Taiwan’s electric scooter market faces a shake-up as third player eyes entry

Driven by global industrial trends and supportive local policies, Taiwan has taken an aggressive lead in developing its electric scooter industry. With major players like Gogoro Network and Kymco's Ionex already entrenched, a potential new entrant — a coalition between Sanyang Motor (SYM) and CPC Corporation, Taiwan's state-owned oil company — is sparking debate over whether the market can support a third battery-swapping system.

Thursday 10 July 2025
Tripolar shift: Taiwan's battery swapping market moves toward fragmentation
Taiwan's electric scooter industry may be on the cusp of a new chapter—one defined not just by innovation, but by fragmentation. With the potential emergence of a third battery-swapping network led by SYM and CPC Corporation, the sector is poised to evolve once more, raising fundamental questions about infrastructure, competition, and consumer adoption.
Thursday 10 July 2025
LG Energy Solution swings to profit as US battery demand lifts results
South Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) posted a significantly stronger operating profit in the second quarter of 2025, ending a streak of six consecutive quarters of losses and highlighting improved company fundamentals. Operating income rose 152% year-over-year to KRW492.2 billion (approx. US$355 million), despite a 9.7% decrease in revenue to KRW5.56 trillion. Data from financial platform FnGuide showed that LGES's sales were 2.9% below analysts' consensus estimates, while its operating profit surpassed forecasts by 56.3%.
Wednesday 9 July 2025
Seetel partners with Canadian firm to expand global energy storage reach
Taiwan's Seetel, a lithium battery and energy storage manufacturer, said Tuesday it formed a strategic alliance with Canadian energy storage solutions provider Energy Plug to expand into global markets.
Monday 7 July 2025
Humanoid robots accelerate development, expected to become a lifeline for South Korea's battery industry
Due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand and intensified competition in the battery market, South Korea's major battery manufacturers LG Energy Solutions (LGES), SK On, and Samsung SDI have shown lackluster performance. However, as global IT and automotive companies actively invest in the humanoid robot industry, batteries dedicated to humanoid robots are poised to become a key factor in reversing this trend.