The Volta Foundation has released its 2025 Battery Report, outlining a year of rapid expansion and intensifying competition across the global battery sector. The report explores major movements across investment, manufacturing, supply chains, innovation, research, policy, and workforce trends.
The report notes that global xEV sales climbed 22% to 21.6 million units in 2025, with China passing a key milestone as electric vehicles accounted for 51% of new car sales. Stationary storage also surged, marking what the authors call the start of the “BESS Decade”, as installations grew 79% year‑on‑year and exceeded 100GW for the first time.
Data centre demand is emerging as a major new driver, with global installed capacity now above 100GW. China continues to dominate upstream materials, controlling 97% of LFP cathode and 93% of graphite anode supply chains.
US manufacturers are reshaping supply strategies in response to post‑OBBA policy pressures, while technology development continues to advance. The report highlights Na‑ion’s move toward early commercialisation, a shift in silicon anodes from SiOx to Si‑C, and continued long‑term timelines for ASSBs, with sulphides becoming the leading route.
Workforce pressures remain acute. Junior engineers in California now command base salaries of $166k, 72% of battery professionals feel confident about securing new roles, and average tenure sits at around 2.3 years. Employers continue to report shortages in manufacturing and applied technical skills.
The report also points to rising geopolitical tension as Western governments increase tariffs and subsidies to reduce reliance on China, which has responded with export restrictions on high‑end battery technologies.
Produced with input from more than 120 contributors across 90 institutions, the open‑access report aims to broaden understanding of the sector and spark further discussion on its future direction.
Image Credit: Volta Foundation
