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2026 SMM H1 London Seminar

AFRICA CRITICAL MINERALS FORUM 2026

2026 SMM Automotive Supply Chain Conference

Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026

Indonesia Nickel & Cobalt & EV Industry Conference 2024

CLNB 2024 9TH CHINA NEW ENERGY EXPO

AICE 2026 SMM (21st）Aluminum Industry Conference & Expo

Shanghai Metals Expo 2025

AICE 2025 SMM (14th) Aluminum Industry Annual Conference

SMM Indonesia Seminar: Li-ion Battery & Energy Storage

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations jumped 51% in March across 15 major European markets, as renewed conflict in the Middle East brought renewed attention to oil dependence. According to data from New Automotive and E-Mobility Europe, around 224,000 new electric passenger cars were registered during the month, representing 22% of total sales in the monitored markets.

BEV Registrations Surge 51% Across Europe in March Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed extending preferential special consumption tax rates for battery electric vehicles with fewer than 24 seats until the end of 2030, as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s shift away from fossil fuels and support its net-zero emissions target.
The ministry said the policy is intended to encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly transport. Currently, electric vehicles are taxed at 1–3%, significantly lower than the 10–150% applied to internal combustion engine vehicles. Under existing plans, EV tax rates are set to rise to 4–11% from March 2027.

Vietnam Proposes EV Tax Incentive Extension to 2030

[SMM Analysis] March 2026 NCM Exports Reach All-Time High

According to customs data, in March 2026, China imported 6,835 tonnes of lithium hydroxide, up 66% month-on-month and three times the year-ago level. Among this, 2,927 tonnes came from Indonesia, accounting for about 48% of total imports, with another 40% from Australia and South Korea. In March, China exported 3,143 tonnes of lithium hydroxide, up 20% month-on-month but down 26% year-on-year, of which 2,059 tonnes were shipped to South Korea and 278 tonnes to Japan.

[China March LiOH imports 6,111 t, exports 3,143 t: imports > exports]

Customs data show that spodumene imports in March stood at 837,400 physical tonnes, a significant increase from February. By source country, African ore saw notable growth: Nigeria supplied 125,100 tonnes, up 63% month-on-month; shipments from Zimbabwe that were dispatched earlier arrived at 112,600 tonnes in the month, an increase of 61%; Canada broke the zero-import pattern of January–February, with 58,600 tonnes arriving in March; while Australia, affected by shipping schedules, recorded imports of 255,600 tonnes, a decrease month-on-month.

[China's March spodumene imports at 837,400 t (+50% MoM), ~81,000 t LCE]

The company plans to launch its fifth-generation LFP full-scenario battery in mid-May, covering all application scenarios including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, energy storage, and low-altitude aircraft. According to reports, the new fifth-generation LFP battery can achieve a maximum energy density of 205 Wh/kg; the superfast charging version can charge from 10% to 70% SOC in less than 4.5 minutes; the ultra-long lifespan version can support over 10 years of ultra-long warranty for vehicle use and a 30-year ultra-long lifespan for energy storage applications. Gotion High-tech will hold the 2026 Global Technology Conference in Hefei on May 16, where the technology will be unveiled.

Gotion High-tech Plans to Release Fifth-Generation LFP Full-Scenario Battery in Mid-May

On April 18, Meilian New Materials disclosed that regarding the technical transformation project for Prussian blue sodium battery cathode materials, the company has completed the construction of thousand-ton production capacity and continues to optimize material properties. This supports downstream efforts to achieve industrialization as soon as possible, developing high-performance products suitable for application scenarios such as energy storage and electric transportation, which have significant market potential. The company has identified sodium-ion battery cathode materials, battery wet-process separators, and EX electronic materials as key development directions, striving to establish new profit growth points.

[Sodium Battery: Prussian Blue Sodium Battery Completes Thousand-Ton Capacity Construction]

2025-2026 Global PV Market Review & Outlook: Navigating Geopolitics and Policy Shifts

SMM FREE WEBINAR: Sulfur Market: 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

Impact of Iran Situation on Aluminum & Zinc Chains: A China-Based Market Outlook

SMM Africa Webinar: Strategic Sharing & Insights of Copper, Aluminium, New Energy, and Iron Ore Market

Lithium Is Moving Again — What It Really Means for BESS Costs and Procurement Strategy

Asia Copper and Aluminum Scrap 2025 Market Review and 2026 Outlook

SMM Aluminium Year-End Review: Indonesia 's Value Chain Acceleration - Tighter Quotas, Refinery Ramps & the Path to Aluminum Powerhouse Status

SMM Online Webinar: Nickel in Turmoil - Decoding Indonesia’s Policy Evolution & The Future of Global Supply

The 4th National Excellent PhD Student Forum on Magnesium Materials

Review and Outlook: Nickel, Stainless Steel and Feedstock of Stainless Steel

Category	Price Description	Change	Date
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate USD/tonne	+403.31	Apr 20
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	+402.04	Apr 20
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (EV Type, Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	+99.03	Apr 20
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Apr 20
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	+8.67	Apr 20
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	-36.38	Apr 20

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