The future is positive for jobs in the battery technology sphere

TRS Staffing Solutions (TRS) is a results-driven recruitment specialist with expertise across many sectors, we actively recruit for energy industry jobs as well as jobs in renewables.

In this article, we’ll outline the current market outlook for battery technology as well as how this drives demand for skilled professionals in energy industry jobs. 

Battery industry outlook

Since Alessandro Volta invented the first true electric battery in 1800, battery technology has undergone remarkable transformations. 

Presently, the primary demand for batteries stems from the electric vehicle (EV) sector. 

With global sales escalating in major markets such as China, Europe, and the United States, the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2024 estimates that by 2035, EV battery technology could account for 6% - 8% of total electricity demand, a significant increase from today’s 0.5%.  

With the global momentum to transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, the use of batteries as a means to store excess energy and release it when needed is a key part of the efficiency of these sources. 

Other key players demanding battery storage solutions include data centers, industrial applications, marine and aviation, military, telecommunications, healthcare, residential, and businesses.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the battery manufacturing industry is currently experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage. With this increase in growth comes a demand for skilled professionals in clean energy jobs to help the sector expand.

The majority of EVs today are powered by lithium-ion batteries, a technology that has been in use for decades in laptops and mobiles. This technology has seen years of development, which has helped to reduce prices and improve performance. As a result, today’s EVs are approaching the price of fossil fuel-powered cars and can travel hundreds of miles between charges.

Battery storage in the power sector was the fastest-growing commercial energy technology globally in 2023, with deployment doubling over the previous year’s figures, hitting nearly 42 gigawatts. Over half of these additions were in China, which has been the leading market in batteries for energy storage for the past two years.

However, there is still room for improvement. Academic labs and companies are looking for ways to improve the technology by boosting capacity, speeding up charging time, and reducing costs. 

Concerns about supplies of key battery materials like cobalt and lithium are also pushing a search for alternatives to the standard lithium-ion chemistry.

Future State of Battery Manufacturing

The battery manufacturing industry is expected to continue its rapid growth, naturally driving up demand for energy sector jobs, something we specialise in here at TRS Staffing Solutions  

North America’s battery manufacturing capacity is forecast to increase from 55 Gigawatt-hours per year (GWh/year) in 2021 to nearly 1,000 GWh/year by 2030. 

Similarly, the manufacturing capacity of lithium-ion batteries is expected to grow from 160 GWh to over 1,000 GWh over the next decade.

One of the key developments to watch out for in the future is the progress of solid-state batteries. 

These batteries replace the liquid electrolyte used in lithium-ion batteries with ceramics or other solid materials. This change has the potential to pack more energy into a smaller space, improving the range of electric vehicles. Solid-state batteries can mean shorter charging times due to their ability to circulate charge even faster.

In addition to technological advancements, policy changes are also expected to drive the future growth of the battery manufacturing industry. Recent climate legislation in the US is investing billions of dollars into battery manufacturing and incentives for consumer EV purchases. The European Union, and several states in the US, have passed bans on gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035.

In conclusion, the battery manufacturing industry is poised for significant growth and innovation in the coming years. 

Driven by the increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, as well as advancements in technology and supportive policies, the industry is expected to play a key role in the transition to renewable energy.

Advance your career in clean energy jobs with TRS

TRS is a global specialist recruiter working across the technologies of energy transition providing engineering and technical talent to customers involved in the design, construction, operations, production, manufacturing and functional phases of business. 

Our experts are always up to date on the future of the renewables sector. 

Browse our website and follow us on LinkedIn to learn about our current job opportunities in energy transition. 

Alternatively, read more of our articles to gain a better understanding of the industries we operate in.