Seven of the ten largest global manufacturers of batteries for electrified vehicles are Chinese, accounting for 72.4% of the market. CATL leads the pack with nearly 40% and is constructing a gigafactory in Zaragoza in partnership with Stellantis, with a projected investment of up to €4.1 billion.
The growth of electric vehicles is shaping a new global automotive industry, and China is taking a dominant position in one of its essential components. During the first half of 2026, seven Chinese manufacturers were among the ten largest suppliers of batteries for electrified vehicles. This figure represents a 1.5 percentage point increase from a year earlier and confirms a trend that directly impacts Europe, with Zaragoza emerging as one of its new industrial hubs.
From January to June, a total of 608.5 GWh of batteries were installed worldwide, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2025. CATL clearly topped the ranking with 242.7 GWh and a market share of 39.9%, up from 38.2% the previous year. The second position was held by BYD, also Chinese, with 87.7 GWh and 14.4% of the market.
CATL’s position helps put into perspective the project the company is currently developing in Zaragoza. The Chinese manufacturer and Stellantis are building a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant next to the Figueruelas factory, operated through Contemporary Star Energy, a company owned 50% by both groups.
A New Component in Aragon’s Automotive Industry
The construction officially began in November 2025, and projections communicated by CATL point to over 4,000 direct jobs when the plant reaches its expected development, in addition to the indirect employment associated with suppliers and services.
CATL’s arrival expands the role that Figueruelas has played for decades within the Spanish automotive industry. The Aragonese plant has traditionally been linked to vehicle assembly and an extensive network of suppliers. The manufacturing of batteries now adds one of the economically and technologically significant components of the electric vehicle to the local ecosystem.
An Industry Dominated from China
The Chinese leadership extends beyond the ranking of manufacturers. The International Energy Agency estimates that China produced over 80% of the world’s battery cells in 2025. The country’s influence is particularly strong in the LFP technology that will be used in Zaragoza.
For Aragon, this project means incorporating an activity into its productive structure that had not previously existed on that scale. CATL has also expressed its intention to collaborate with universities and training centers and to promote the development of suppliers.
Data from the first half of 2026 reveal just how much the landscape of this industry has changed. Chinese companies now account for 72.4% of the global market, with CATL nearing 40% on its own.
