Why China is winning the EV war

Why China is winning the EV war

China’s Dominance in Electric Vehicle Batteries

China has become the world’s leading producer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, accounting for over half of global sales. The country’s dominance is attributed to significant government support, including subsidies, cheap land leases, and tax breaks, which have helped Chinese companies develop and refine EV battery technology.

Chinese companies have also acquired ownership stakes in mines around the world, controlling significant percentages of the world’s supply of minerals needed for batteries. Additionally, China refines and manufactures the majority of EV battery components, including cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and separators.

The US has struggled to compete with China’s battery industry, and US automakers are finding it challenging to produce affordable electric cars without relying on Chinese-made batteries. The Biden administration has passed rules to limit the use of Chinese-sourced battery components, but only an estimated 20% of EV models qualify.

Chinese companies have led the world in battery innovation, developing new technologies such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are becoming increasingly popular. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental and human rights impacts of China’s battery supply chain, as well as the potential for unfair global competition.

The US is investing in its own battery industry, but it may take time to catch up with China’s dominance. For now, the US must decide whether its desire to distance itself from China outweighs its goals of transitioning to electric vehicles and reducing fossil fuel dependence.



Term Definition Example Usage
Subsidies Financial assistance provided by the government to support a particular industry or business. China’s government has provided subsidies to electric vehicle battery manufacturers to help them develop and refine their technology.
Cathodes A component of a battery that facilitates the flow of electrical charge. Chinese companies manufacture the majority of EV battery cathodes, which are a crucial component of electric vehicle batteries.
Anodes A component of a battery that facilitates the flow of electrical charge. China refines and manufactures the majority of EV battery anodes, which are a critical component of electric vehicle batteries.
Electrolytes A chemical substance that facilitates the flow of electrical charge in a battery. Chinese companies have developed advanced electrolyte technologies to improve the performance and safety of electric vehicle batteries.
Separators A component of a battery that separates the cathode and anode to prevent electrical shorts. China manufactures the majority of EV battery separators, which are a critical component of electric vehicle batteries.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries A type of battery that uses lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material. Chinese companies have developed LFP batteries, which are becoming increasingly popular due to their safety and performance advantages.
Supply Chain The network of companies and organizations involved in the production and distribution of a product. Concerns have been raised about the environmental and human rights impacts of China’s battery supply chain.
Unfair Global Competition Competition that is unfair or biased in favor of one company or country. Concerns have been raised about the potential for unfair global competition due to China’s dominance in the electric vehicle battery industry.
Fossil Fuel Dependence Reliance on fossil fuels as a primary source of energy. The US is trying to reduce its fossil fuel dependence by transitioning to electric vehicles, but this goal may be hindered by China’s dominance in the battery industry.
Transitioning The process of changing from one system or technology to another. The US is transitioning to electric vehicles as part of its efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence and mitigate climate change.


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China’s Dominance in Electric Vehicle Batteries: Vocabulary Quiz

  1. What does the word “attributed” mean in the following sentence: “China’s dominance is attributed to significant government support…”?
    • A) To give a share of something
    • B) To explain or think of as caused by something
    • C) To take control of something
    • D) To refuse something
  2. What is the meaning of the word “refine” in the context of EV battery technology?
    • A) To make something worse
    • B) To make something more complex
    • C) To make something more pure or of better quality
    • D) To make something more expensive
  3. What does the word “struggled” mean in the sentence: “The US has struggled to compete with China’s battery industry…”?
    • A) To achieve something easily
    • B) To have difficulty doing something
    • C) To give up trying
    • D) To succeed quickly
  4. What is the meaning of the word “estimated” in the sentence: “only an estimated 20% of EV models qualify.”
    • A) A calculation of something’s value or quantity
    • B) A guess or prediction of something’s value or quantity
    • C) A final decision or answer
    • D) A rule or law
  5. What does the word “outweighs” mean in the sentence: “the US must decide whether its desire to distance itself from China outweighs its goals…”?
    • A) To be less important than something
    • B) To be more important than something
    • C) To be equal to something
    • D) To be unrelated to something

Answer Key:

1. B) To explain or think of as caused by something 2. C) To make something more pure or of better quality 3. B) To have difficulty doing something 4. B) A guess or prediction of something’s value or quantity 5. B) To be more important than something

Modal Verbs: Ability, Permission, and Obligation


Modal verbs such as “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “shall”, “should”, “must”, and “ought to” are used to express ability, permission, and obligation. In the context of the provided text, we can see examples of these modal verbs in use.

Quiz Time!

  1. According to the text, Chinese companies ________ develop and refine EV battery technology due to significant government support.
    1. A) must
    2. B) can
    3. C) may
    4. D) should
  2. The US has struggled to compete with China’s battery industry, and US automakers ________ produce affordable electric cars without relying on Chinese-made batteries.
    1. A) can
    2. B) may
    3. C) must
    4. D) are able to
  3. The Biden administration has passed rules to limit the use of Chinese-sourced battery components, but only an estimated 20% of EV models ________ qualify.
    1. A) may
    2. B) can
    3. C) must
    4. D) are able to
  4. Chinese companies ________ led the world in battery innovation, developing new technologies such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
    1. A) have been able to
    2. B) are able to
    3. C) can
    4. D) could
  5. The US ________ decide whether its desire to distance itself from China outweighs its goals of transitioning to electric vehicles and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
    1. A) must
    2. B) should
    3. C) may
    4. D) can

Answer Key

  1. B) can
  2. D) are able to
  3. A) may
  4. A) have been able to
  5. B) should

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