Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) President Şekib Avdagiç stated that the amendment to the regulation made by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, which includes lithium-ion batteries under the strategic product category, is a critical step for Türkiye.
Avdagiç said that at a time when Europe is seeking alternatives to Asian manufacturers, this development creates a favorable environment for Türkiye, adding that the decision is one of the most important elements in the goal of making Türkiye a regional hub in battery production.
With the “Amendment to the Communiqué on the Strategic Priority and Technical Evaluation of Investment Projects” prepared by the ministry, the definition of the “Critical Raw Materials List” was expanded. Lithium-ion battery technologies were added to the list, which now covers 36 products with high strategic importance for the national economy and supply risk. In this context, it is aimed to introduce faster approval and financing processes, especially for electric vehicle investments.
In his evaluation, Avdagiç stated that lithium-ion batteries are currently at the center of critical sectors such as transportation, defense, energy, and healthcare, and that the regulation will accelerate battery production and R&D activities. He noted that this step will not only encourage domestic production but also increase foreign direct investment, strengthening Türkiye’s position in the energy storage systems and electric vehicle ecosystem.
Drawing attention to geopolitical tensions and volatility in energy markets increasing the shift toward electric vehicles, Avdagiç said that fluctuations in oil prices both change consumer preferences in the short term and strengthen long-term goals of reducing fossil fuel dependency. According to data from London-based Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, 1.75 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in March, with sales increasing 3% year-on-year and 66% month-on-month. It was noted that strong demand in Europe was effective in this increase.
Avdagiç stated that the global lithium-ion battery market is expected to reach 130–140 billion dollars in 2026, with about 55% of the market concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. He added that Türkiye’s target of 80 GWh battery capacity under the HIT-30 program corresponds to approximately 7% of the 2025 global market, emphasizing that the regulation aligns with these goals.
ING Group Senior Transport and Logistics Economist Rico Luman noted that a shift is taking place in electric vehicle battery technologies from NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) to LFP (lithium iron phosphate). He stated that demand for LFP batteries is increasing due to their lower cost, and that the European Union aims to reduce its dependency on China for battery supply, where Türkiye could play an important role thanks to its Customs Union advantage.
Luman said that Türkiye’s decision to expand its critical raw materials scope is appropriate considering the increasing electrification process and geopolitical developments. However, he also emphasized that China maintains a strong competitive advantage in battery production due to its scale and refining capacity, and that Chinese-made battery packs remain price competitive.
He added that rising fuel prices also support interest in electric vehicles, and that for users who can charge at home or at work, the cost per kilometer makes electric vehicles more advantageous.
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