Structural Changes in the Trade Network of Electric Vehicle Lithium Ion Batteries(EV-LIB): A Comparative Analysis of 2018 and 2023

This study analyzes the global trade structure of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) for electric vehicles using UN Comtrade data and social network analysis. The findings reveal that global LIB imports significantly increased from 2018 to 2023, driven by growing demand in the electric vehicle market. Despite disruptions in the global supply chain caused by the pandemic and wars, dependency on China intensified in 2023, mainly due to its price competitiveness. However, long-term supply chain stability requires diversifying production locations. Additionally, the gap between core and peripheral countries in the LIB trade network diminished by 2023, indicating a more integrated and competitive global market. This study provides empirical insights into the LIB trade network and suggests further research on regional supply chain diversification.