The world’s largest EV battery maker was designated as a “Chinese language Army Firm” on Monday by the US Protection Division. CATL, which provides EV batteries to Tesla, BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and plenty of others, is now on the US blacklist. Right here’s what meaning.
It’s no secret that CATL dominates the worldwide EV battery market. Within the first 11 months of 2024, CATL accounted for almost 37% of all electrical car batteries offered globally.
China’s BYD got here in a distant second, with a share of round 17%. LG Vitality (11.6%), CALB (4.6%), and SK On (4.5%) rounded out the highest 5.
CATL batteries energy main Chinese language OEMs like Geely, NIO, and Li Auto, however international EV leaders like Tesla, VW, Nissan, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz additionally select to make use of them.
After touchdown on the US blacklist, CATL mentioned in an announcement that it “has by no means engaged in any military-related enterprise or actions.” The battery big added that the blacklisting is “a mistake” by the US Division of Protection (DOD).
The designation solely restricts CATL from doing enterprise with the DOD and “is predicted to haven’t any considerably opposed impression” on the corporate.
Why is CATL now on the US blacklist?
CATL will work with the DOD to “handle the false designation,” together with authorized motion if wanted. The battery maker mentioned it might defend the pursuits of the corporate and its shareholders.
If something, it could possibly be a much bigger blow to the corporate’s repute. Following the information, CATL’s inventory was down round 3% on Monday.
The DOD says the record is a vital persevering with effort to focus on and counter the Folks’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Army-Civil Fusion technique.
In response to the DOD, the technique “helps the modernization targets of the Folks’s Liberation Military (PLA) by making certain it could purchase superior applied sciences and experience developed by PRC firms, universities, and analysis packages that look like civilian entities.”
In the meantime, CATL continues to launch new tech to keep up its commanding lead within the international EV battery market. Final month, CATL revealed plans to record on the Hong Kong Inventory Trade to gasoline its international growth.
Two weeks in the past, CATL launched its new Bedrock Chassis, deeming it the “World’s first ultra-safe skateboard chassis.” It’s additionally rapidly increasing its EV battery swap community with plans to steadily section out gasoline stations. Its new Choco-SEB batteries make swapping a battery even simpler than filling a gasoline tank.
In the meantime, a senior govt from Panasonic Vitality instructed Reuters on Monday that lowering its provide chain dependence on China for EV batteries made within the US is the primary precedence.
Examine again for extra quickly, as that is an ongoing story. We’ll preserve you updated with the newest.
Supply: US Division of Protection, CATL
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