South Korean batteries fail Chinese certification

South Korea’s two biggest EV battery makers – LG Chem and Samsung SDI – have essentially been shut out of the Chinese market.

The two were left off a list of 31 battery makers in its fourth review – published by China’s ministry of industry and information technology – meaning they did not meet Chinese battery standards and wouldn’t be eligible for large government subsidies after January 2018.

This would render them both uncompetitive in the world’s biggest EV market.

Beijing is eager in promoting EV to lessen carbon emissions and make local industry an EV powerhouse through the economies of scale. It aims to replace five million EV cars and buses by 2020 through agenerous subsidy program

Both intend to attempt to get certification in the fifth review, after the ministry gives them official notification of areas where they failed.

Both have complained of discrimination by officials favouring local industry over foreign suppliers.

Caption -Chinese manufacturer BYD is already the largest EV maker in the world.