The 2026 World Power Battery Conference, held in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, from September 3-5, brought together global leaders to discuss industry policies, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative applications. The event, now in its fifth year in Yibin, featured thematic sessions on new energy storage and battery recycling, aiming to foster cross-border collaboration and advance international cooperation in the power battery sector.
At the conference, data revealed the remarkable evolution of China's power battery industry. The driving range of lithium batteries has expanded from roughly 100 kilometers in early models to up to 1,000 kilometers today. Charging times have plummeted from hours to approximately 10 minutes, while battery durability has increased from about 300 charge cycles to as many as 1,500 cycles for energy storage batteries. Simultaneously, costs have dropped by 90%, making electric vehicles more accessible and sustainable.
Eight innovative power battery technologies for 2025-2026 were unveiled at the opening ceremony, including ultra-fast charging batteries that can recharge in about 10 minutes, hybrid solid-liquid batteries with a specific energy of 350 Wh/kg, and large-capacity energy storage batteries ranging from 300 Ah to 600 Ah with high safety. These breakthroughs are poised to drive further innovation and adoption across the industry.
Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, outlined three major trends shaping the future of power batteries. 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, and released gases must be harmless to occupants. Even after 300 fast-charging cycles, batteries must pass external short-circuit tests without igniting. Second, AI empowerment is transforming battery design, manufacturing, and management, reshaping the entire technology and value chains. Third, green and low-carbon development is now a priority throughout the battery's lifecycle.
Wang He, founder and CTO of GALBOT, shared insights on embodied intelligent robots, a product developed through deep integration with the power battery industry. This robot, which pushes the limits of humanoid robot workloads, has been commercialized at companies like CATL. Wang predicts that leading players will reach the "ChatGPT moment" for embodied intelligence by 2028, potentially triggering explosive growth in humanoid robotics and opening new avenues for power battery applications.
Spain served as the Guest Country of Honor, with Ambassador Betanzos noting that Chinese investment in Spain is shifting from trade to long-term industrial projects, creating high-quality jobs and forging alliances with local firms. This underscores the international dimension of the conference and its role in fostering global cooperation in the power battery sector.
