2026 World Power Battery Conference Highlights China's Advances and Future Trends

The 2026 World Power Battery Conference opened on September 3 in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and international delegates to discuss the future of power batteries. The conference, now in its fifth year, focuses on industry policies, cutting-edge technologies, innovative applications, new energy storage, and battery recycling. Through thematic sessions, it aims to deepen cross-border industrial collaboration and foster international cooperation in the power battery sector.

Data released at the conference underscored China's significant contributions to the power battery industry. The driving range of lithium-powered batteries has surged from roughly 100 kilometers in early models to as much as 1,000 kilometers today. Charging times have plummeted from hours to about 10 minutes, while battery durability has improved from approximately 300 charge cycles to as many as 1,500 cycles for energy storage batteries. Costs have fallen by 90%, making these technologies 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 around 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, enhancing performance and safety.

Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified three major development trends for the power battery industry. First, battery safety across the entire lifecycle has become paramount. China's mandatory national standard, Electric Vehicles Traction Battery Safety Requirements, took effect on July 1, mandating that batteries must not catch fire or explode, gases must not harm occupants, and batteries must pass external short-circuit tests after 300 fast-charging cycles. Second, AI empowerment is transforming the whole chain. The application of AI to intelligent battery design, manufacturing, and management will reshape the industry across technological, industrial, and value chains. Third, green and low-carbon development is now a focus throughout the full lifecycle.

Wang He, founder and CTO of GALBOT, discussed the company's exploration of embodied intelligent robots. One of its latest products, which breaks through the workload limits of humanoid robots, was developed through deep integration with the power battery industry and has been commercialized on a large scale at companies including CATL. Wang believes that leading players in the sector may 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. The Spanish Ambassador to China, Betanzos, noted that Chinese investment in Spain is shifting from trade toward long-term industrial projects, bringing production to Spain, creating high-quality jobs, and establishing alliances with local companies. This reflects the global impact of China's power battery industry and the importance of international collaboration.

The conference, launched in 2022, continues to serve as a platform for sharing advancements and fostering partnerships. With the unveiling of new technologies and insights into future trends, the event underscores the critical role of power batteries in the global energy transition.