It's impossible to give a single, exact number for how many car battery manufacturers exist globally because the answer depends heavily on how you define "car battery." The market is broadly split into two categories: traditional lead-acid starter batteries and advanced lithium-ion traction batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). For the common 12V lead-acid battery found in most gasoline cars, there are dozens of significant manufacturers worldwide. However, the high-tech EV battery market is dominated by a much smaller, more concentrated group of major players.
According to industry reports from S&P Global Mobility and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, there are roughly 15-20 major global manufacturers that produce the vast majority of lithium-ion EV battery cells. These companies supply automakers like Tesla, Ford, and Volkswagen. When you include smaller, regional specialists and companies that assemble battery packs from purchased cells, the number grows into the hundreds.
The landscape is also rapidly evolving. New gigafactories are being announced regularly, and automakers are forming joint ventures to secure supply, meaning the count is constantly increasing.
| Major Global EV Battery Manufacturer (Examples) | Estimated Global Market Share (2023) | Key Automaker Partners |
|---|
| CATL (China) | ~37% | Tesla, BMW, Ford, Hyundai |
| LG Energy Solution (South Korea) | ~14% | Tesla, GM, Ford, Volkswagen |
| Panasonic (Japan) | ~10% | Tesla, Toyota, Honda |
| BYD (China) | ~16% | BYD Auto, Tesla, Toyota, Ford |
| SK On (South Korea) | ~5% | Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen |
| Samsung SDI (South Korea) | ~5% | BMW, Rivian, Stellantis |
| CALB (China) | ~4% | GAC, Xpeng, Nio |
Beyond these giants, the market for lead-acid batteries includes well-known brands like Johnson Controls (Clarios), which produces Varta and Optima, Exide Technologies, and East Penn Manufacturing. These companies have a massive global presence but operate in a more mature, competitive market. So, while the core group of companies shaping the future of EV batteries is relatively small, the total ecosystem of companies involved in manufacturing batteries for all types of vehicles is extensive and complex.
