Policy changes in lithium battery energy storage

What are the tariffs affecting battery energy storage?

The tariffs affect a range of clean energy imports including EVs, solar PV, battery energy storage, and inputs for these. This briefing focuses on the tariffs affecting battery energy storage. Policy changes affecting the solar portion of the Section 301 tariffs are addressed in a separate briefing.

How will the Section 301 tariffs affect battery energy storage?

On May 14, 2024, U.S. President Biden and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced changes to the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products. The tariffs affect a range of clean energy imports including EVs, solar PV, battery energy storage, and inputs for these. This briefing focuses on the tariffs affecting battery energy storage.

What is the tariff on lithium ion battery imports?

As there is also a 3.4% general tariff on lithium-ion battery imports, the full tariff paid by importers will go from 10.9% to 28.4%. Lithium-ion battery modules, packs, and container blocks are generally categorized under the import code 8507.6020 if they are used for non-EV applications.

Can battery storage support electricity security cost-effectively?

The report highlights the versatility of battery storage to support electricity security cost-effectively as part of clean energy transitions. In the power sector, batteries help smooth out the variability of renewable electricity from technologies such as wind and solar.

How will the new lithium-ion battery tariff affect integrators?

The increase in the total non-EV lithium-ion battery tariff from 10.9% to 28.4% will raise total costs for U.S. integrators from 11-16%. Cost increases will be higher for those who add less value in the United States (i.e., those who procure containers or racks from China v. modules or cells).

What is the import code for lithium ion batteries?

Lithium-ion battery modules, packs, and container blocks are generally categorized under the import code 8507.6020 if they are used for non-EV applications. As such, we believe that this is the code that this tariff change will apply to.