The 2026 World Power Battery Conference, held in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, from September 3, underscored the nation's rapid progress in power battery technology and its global implications. The event, which runs through September, features thematic sessions on industry policies, cutting-edge technologies, innovative applications, new energy storage, and battery recycling. These sessions aim to foster cross-border industrial collaboration and advance international cooperation in the power battery sector.
Data released at the conference highlighted remarkable improvements in China's domestically developed battery technologies. The driving range of lithium-powered batteries has surged from approximately 100 kilometers in the early stages to as much as 1,000 kilometers today. Charging times have been reduced from hours to around 10 minutes, while battery durability has improved from roughly 300 charge cycles to as many as 1,500 cycles for energy storage batteries. Additionally, costs have plummeted by 90%, making electric vehicles more accessible and sustainable.
At the opening ceremony, eight innovative power battery technologies for the 2025–2026 period were unveiled. These include power batteries supporting ultra-fast charging in about 10 minutes, hybrid solid-liquid batteries with a specific energy of 350 Wh/kg, and large-capacity, high-safety energy storage batteries ranging from 300 Ah to 600 Ah. These breakthroughs are expected to drive further innovation across the industry.
Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, outlined three major development trends for the power battery industry. First, battery safety across the entire lifecycle is paramount. China's mandatory national standard, Electric Vehicles Traction Battery Safety Requirements, which took effect on July 1, mandates that batteries must not catch fire or explode, emitted gases must not harm occupants, and after 300 fast-charging cycles, batteries must pass external short-circuit tests without igniting. Second, AI empowerment across the whole chain will reshape the industry by enabling intelligent battery design, manufacturing, and management. Third, green and low-carbon development throughout the full lifecycle is essential for sustainability.
Wang He, founder and CTO of GALBOT, discussed the integration of embodied intelligent robots with the power battery industry. One of GALBOT's latest products, which overcomes workload limits of humanoid robots, has been commercialized on a large scale at companies including CATL. Wang predicts that leading players in the sector could reach the 'ChatGPT moment' for embodied intelligence by 2028, ushering in a steep growth curve for humanoid robotics and opening new horizons for power batteries.
Spain served as the Guest Country of Honor at this year's conference. The Spanish Ambassador to China, Betanzos, noted that Chinese investment in Spain is shifting from trade to long-term industrial projects, bringing production to Spain, creating high-quality jobs, and establishing alliances with local companies. This underscores the global reach and collaborative spirit of the event.
The World Power Battery Conference, launched in Yibin in 2022, has become a key platform for international dialogue and cooperation in the power battery sector. As the industry evolves, the insights and innovations shared at this conference will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy storage and electric mobility worldwide.
