The German battery market reached a volume of €20.5 billion in 2024, according to the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI). However, with a decline of €3.8 billion (minus 16 percent) compared to 2023, it was unable to continue the strong growth of the previous five years. The decline is almost entirely attributable to lithium batteries, which recorded losses of just under €3 billion. According to ZVEI, this is due to the recent weak development of electromobility in Germany, which is attributable, among other things, to the expiry of the electric car subsidy at the end of 2023.
Battery exports from Germany fell to just under eight billion euros in 2024. This represents a decline of around three percent compared to 2023.
Just under two-thirds of battery exports from Germany went to Europe in 2024. Approximately 18 percent went to Asia and around 16 percent to the US and Canada.
The production of lithium batteries declined by seven percent to 3.6 billion euros in 2024. This was offset by exports of 5.2 billion euros (down nine percent) and imports of 18.3 billion euros (down 15 percent). »This shows that Germany covers its demand for lithium batteries primarily through imports,« according to ZVEI e. V.
The import volume of batteries declined in 2024 for the first time in more than five years. It was 16 percent lower than in 2023 and reached around 21 billion euros (2023: 25 billion euros). Asia is once again the main supplier, after Europe had held the lead in the previous four years. Lithium batteries accounted for the largest share, with an import value of around 18 billion euros.
Almost all battery imports to Germany come from Asia (52 percent) and Europe (47 percent). Import volumes have fallen significantly, by 26 percent from Europe and 6 percent from Asia. China remains the largest global supplier of lithium batteries with an import volume of 8.9 billion euros. In Europe, Hungary is the main supplier of lithium batteries to Germany with 2.9 billion euros.
»To prevent Germany from losing further ground as a battery location, decisive political action is now needed: competitive energy costs, accelerated approval procedures, a noticeable reduction in bureaucracy, and reliable, targeted support programs, especially in battery research,« says Christian Rosenkranz, chairman of the ZVEI Batteries Association and managing director of battery manufacturer Clarios. Companies finally need a more competitive environment compared to Asian suppliers. Rosenkranz adds: »The coalition agreement contains the right approaches, from reducing the electricity tax to reducing bureaucracy. But good signals are not enough – action must be taken.«
For the current fiscal year, the ZVEI again expects an improvement in market figures.
© PHOTON
