UK Battery Imports: The Path to Reducing Dependence by 2030

China announced new export controls on lithium-ion battery technology in October 2025, effective 8th November. The restrictions cover high-performance batteries, cathode materials, graphite-based anode materials, and specialized manufacturing equipment. For the UK (and Europe), this is a wake-up call about just how dependent we’ve become on Chinese battery supply chains. 

Here’s the reality: China controls approximately 77% of global lithium-ion battery production capacity. Almost 70% of the supply chains for solar, wind, and battery technologies are controlled by China. The EU represents only 7% of global battery production, with just 15% of that capacity managed by companies headquartered in Europe. 

The UK is lagging even further behind. And with EV adoption accelerating (UK EV market share soared from 1.7% in 2019 to nearly 32% in 2022), our reliance on Chinese batteries is growing, not shrinking. 

The Strategic Problem 

This isn’t just an economic issue. It’s a strategic vulnerability. China’s export controls are framed as national security measures, but the practical effect is clear: they can disrupt Western battery supply chains w henever they choose. 

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries were used in almost half of the EVs made in 2024. Almost all of those LFP batteries were made in China. Chinese companies like CATL dominate not just manufacturing, but also the specialized expertise in emerging battery chemistries. 

When you add China’s control of critical mineral refining (lithium, graphite, rare earths), the picture gets worse. All raw materials refining stages except cobalt are dominated by China. Even when minerals are mined elsewhere, they’re often shipped to China for processing. 

Europe’s 40% Target: Aspirational or Achievable? 

Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Act aims for 40% of critical minerals used in the EU to come from local or allied sources by 2030. That’s a five-year timeline to reduce reliance on China from current l evels (where we’re massively dependent) to 60% or less. 

Industry analysts say it could take up to a decade for these efforts to significantly reduce dependence on China. So the 2030 target? Ambitious, to put it politely. 

The UK doesn’t have an equivalent target publicly stated, but the logic applies equally. If we want to build a domestic EV industry, renewable energy storage, and grid-scale batteries without being at China’s mercy, we need domestic battery production capacity. Fast. 

Where the UK Stands: Not Great 

Each new Gigafactory takes at least five years from planning to series production. The UK’s battery manufacturing capacity is already lagging. We’ve got a few projects in development, but nothing at the scale China operates. 

Integrals Power (a UK battery technology company) is calling for urgent government action to accelerate growth of the UK battery industry at all levels of the supply chain. They’re not wrong. The question is whether action happens fast enough. 

The Skills Gap Nobody’s Talking About 

Let’s say the UK does build domestic battery manufacturing capacity. Gigafactories start appearing. Supply chains get established. Great. 

Who’s going to work in them? 

Battery manufacturing, battery storage installation, and battery system maintenance all require electrically competent workers. People who understand DC systems, battery management systems, thermal management, safety protocols for lithium-ion systems, and BS 7671 compliance. 

This is where the UK’s approach to green jobs falls apart. We talk about building industries, but we don’t talk enough about building the skilled workforce to staff them. 

What Elec Training Proposes: Skills Bootcamps for Battery Storage 

If the UK is serious about reducing battery import dependencies by 20-40% by 2030, we need a coordinated workforce development strategy. Skills Bootcamps for battery storage, aligned with BS 7671, could be part of the solution. 

What this would look like: 

Foundation: Qualified electricians (NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition, ECS Gold Card) as the baseline. 

Specialist add on: Intensive Skills Bootcamp covering: 

• Battery chemistry fundamentals (LFP, NMC, emerging chemistries) 

• Battery management systems (BMS) 

• DC system design and safety 

• Thermal management and fire safety protocols 

• Installation, commissioning, and maintenance of battery storage systems 

• BS 7671 compliance specific to energy storage 

Employment pathway: Direct connections to battery manufacturers, installers, and m aintenance providers. 

The model already exists for EV charging. Follows this pattern: qualified electricians + specialist training + employment connections = skilled workers in a growing sector. 

Battery storage needs the same approach, but scaled up significantly if we’re building domestic manufacturing. 

The Reality Check: It’s Not Just About Training 

Training electricians for battery storage work solves one problem. But if we don’t have domestic battery manufacturing, what are we training them for? Installing Chinese batteries instead of importing pre-made systems? 

The UK needs: 

1. Investment in Gigafactories (billions, not millions)

    

2. Mineral processing capacity (so we’re not shipping raw materials to China)

    

3. Component manufacturing (cathodes, anodes, separators, electrolytes)
    
4. Skills development at all levels (engineers, technicians, electricians, installers)

    

5. Long-term government commitment (not just until the next election) 

Without all five, we’re not reducing import dependencies. We’re just moving the bottleneck. 

What Electricians Should Do Now 

If you’re an electrician or training to become one, battery storage is a growing field regardless of where the batteries are made. Home battery systems, commercial installations, and grid-scale storage all need qualified electricians who understand the technology. 

Get your fundamentals sorted: NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition, ECS Gold Card. 

Add relevant specialist skills: Start with EV charging as it covers DC systems and some battery principles. Watch for battery storage specific courses as the sector develops. 

Understand BS 7671 requirements: Energy storage systems have specific safety and compliance requirements. Make sure your training covers them properly. 

Stay informed: Battery technology is evolving rapidly. LFP is current standard, but sodium-ion and other chemistries are emerging. The electricians who stay employable are the ones who keep learning. 

The UK’s battery import dependency is a strategic problem that won’t be solved quickly. China’s new export controls make it urgent, but urgency doesn’t guarantee action. 

Reducing imports by 20-40% by 2030 requires massive investment in manufacturing capacity and skills development. The UK is behind on both. 

For electricians, battery storage work is growing whether batteries are made in China, Europe, or eventually the UK. Get qualified properly, understand the safety requirements, and position yourself for a sector that’s only going to expand. 

For policymakers and industry, stop talking about green jobs in abstract terms. If you want domestic battery production, you need domestic skills development. Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, and clear employment pathways need to be built alongside the Gigafactories. 

Otherwise, we’ll hit 2030 still importing most of our batteries from China, wondering why the workforce development didn’t happen. 

Want to discuss battery storage training and employment pathways? 

Call us on 0330 822 5337. We can’t solve the UK’s strategic dependency on China, but we can help you position yourself for the battery storage work that exists now and is coming in the future.