PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
Electric batteries are one of the most critical products worldwide, central to energy storage, mobility, and technology. They are fundamental in the clean energy transition, global trade, and industrial competitiveness, with demand driven by electrification, innovation, and climate policies.
They exist in many types, such as lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, and lead-acid, and are used across forms from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and grid storage. Their production depends on access to raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, as well as government support and technological advances.
Batteries fall under HS Code 8507 in the Metals & Electronics category, which includes related products like lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and lithium-ion cells.
They have a Product Complexity Index of 1.48, ranking 48th out of 1,044 products in 2023.
This post will not consider a specific country’s market, but it will be focused on the electric battery trade in general.
OVERVIEW
In 2023, global trade of Electric Batteries reached an amount of $159B, reflecting an increased percentage of 22.1% from 2022, when it totaled $130B and, over the past five years, it has grown at an annualized rate of 24.2%.
In addition, during the same year, Electric Batteries ranked 20th out of 1217 products, accounting for 0.7% of world trade.
EXPORT
In 2023 it was estimated that the main characters in the exportation scenario of Electric Batteries were:
- China – $80B
- Poland – $12.7B
- South Korea – $10B
Also, during the same year, the countries that registered the highest share of this category in their export portfolios were:
- Poland – 3.36%
- Slovakia – 2.94%
- Hungary – 2.82%
IMPORT
In 2023 it was revealed that the leading importers of the Electric Batteries category in global trade were
- Germany – $29B
- United States – $26.7B
- South Korea – $9.39B
CURIOSITY CORNER: THE BAGHDAD BATTERY
Beyond their modern industrial role, batteries also carry a fascinating cultural and historical legacy. One of the earliest and most debated examples is the “Baghdad Battery,” a 2,200‑year‑old clay jar discovered in Iraq. The artifact contained a copper cylinder and an iron rod, and when filled with an acidic liquid such as vinegar or grape juice, it could generate a small electric charge of about 1.5–2 volts. While modest in power, this discovery has intrigued researchers for decades, sparking theories about how ancient civilizations might have experimented with electricity long before Alessandro Volta’s invention of the modern electrochemical cell.
Some of the most curious explanations suggest that the battery may have been used for pain relief, drawing parallels with ancient Greek and Roman practices. Historical accounts describe people standing on live electric eels to numb the pain of gout in their feet — an early form of “electro‑analgesia.” In this light, the Baghdad Battery could have offered a less slimy, more controlled source of electricity for similar purposes. Other researchers propose that several of these jars could have been connected together to produce higher voltage, possibly used for electroplating gold onto silver objects. Experiments with replicas in the 20th century demonstrated that this was technically feasible, adding weight to the theory.
Despite these possibilities, skepticism remains. No wires or conductors have ever been found alongside the jars, and some archaeologists argue they were simply storage vessels, perhaps for papyrus scrolls, with acidic residues forming naturally over time. Still, the mystery endures. Whether a primitive battery, a decorative tool, or just a clay jar, the Baghdad Battery highlights humanity’s long‑standing curiosity about harnessing energy. It connects today’s booming global battery trade with a deeper tradition of innovation and imagination, reminding us that the quest for portable power has been part of human progress for millennia.
CONCLUSIONS
In 2023 the Electric Battery trade experienced notable challenges, including supply chain constraints, raw material shortages, and geopolitical pressures, but despite these difficulties, a strong growth trend can be identified. With rising demand from electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, alongside ongoing innovation in battery chemistry and manufacturing, Electric Batteries continue to be at the core of the global energy transition. If sustainability, recycling, and technological resilience are prioritized, this market can manifest a long‑term path. And while today’s batteries drive global trade and innovation, the curiosity sparked by artifacts like the Baghdad Battery reminds us that humanity’s fascination with portable power has deep historical roots.
