A new report has been released from IDC Energy Insights that quantifies expected explosive global growth in manufacturing capacity of Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries of approximately 390% from 6,689MWh in 2011 to 26,149MWh in 2015. This increase in manufacturing capacity is driven by an expected dramatic increase in global demand, especially with respect to batteries for plug-in electric vehicles and for stationary storage.
Global manufacturers of plug-in electric vehicles will require more than seven times their current level of production in 2011, rising to 17,331 MWh by 2015. North America will lead the demand in the coming year; however, Asia will quickly eclipse North America in demand. If Li-ion costs fall as expected, global stationary storage Li-ion demand on the electric grid will increase from 2011 by over 17 times to 640 MWh in 2015. In total, global growth in demand of Li-ion batteries of 447% from 5,411 MWh in 2011 to 24,191 MWh in 2015.