CATL Has Surpassed LG in Global Battery Patents
The Chinese manufacturer has become the world leader in battery patent holdings according to recent data.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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CATL has overtaken LG Energy Solution in the global race for battery patent holdings. This shift follows a massive surge in innovation, with the company filing a majority of its historical patents over the last three years.
Why it matters
Securing a massive patent portfolio serves as a strategic defensive measure against global competitors while signaling long-term technological dominance. This growth underscores the intense international competition to define the future of energy storage.
CATL currently holds 27,402 total battery patents, including 19,539 power battery patents and 3,538 solid-state battery patents. The firm has reached these figures through over 100 billion yuan in cumulative research and development investment.
The players
CATL
A major Chinese battery manufacturer that has become a global leader in energy storage and electric vehicle power solutions.
LG Energy Solution
A South Korean energy corporation that is a top global supplier of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
Panasonic
A Japanese electronics company that has historically been a significant developer of automotive battery technology.
The details
CATL has accelerated its technical output by filing 16,722 battery patents since 2023, representing 61.0% of its total historical output. While CATL expands its reach, legacy industry player Panasonic has dropped out of the top ten global patent holders.
Timeline
The data collection period for these rankings occurred from October 2016 to September 2026.
The PatSnap patent database released this updated information on October 6, 2026.
Roadmap
The rise in solid-state battery technology patent filings marks a shift from liquid-electrolyte systems toward safer, higher-density energy storage. CATL's focus on its 3,538 solid-state battery patents demonstrates an aggressive pivot toward this next-generation power technology.
For the daily driver, this massive patent push likely signals faster improvements in battery range and charging speed for future electric vehicles. Increased competition between global manufacturers typically forces a reduction in costs and higher efficiency for consumers over the long term.
The takeaway
Innovation at this scale suggests the battery market is moving toward a consolidation of proprietary technology among a few global players. Consumers should expect upcoming electric vehicle models to feature significantly more refined energy density compared to current standards.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations driving the industry on the Electric Vehicles page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CarNewsChina.
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