Insights and Analysis

Charge Forward: Next-gen battery technology

23 October 2025

Battery innovation is accelerating, with solid-state, sodium-ion, and silicon carbon technologies promising faster charging, greater range, and safer, longer-lasting performance.

These advances are transforming energy systems across transport, grid storage, electronics, and industry. Governments are responding with major regulatory shifts:

UK: Planning reforms and market access initiatives support grid-scale battery deployment.
EU: New rules mandate CE marking, Battery Passports, and supply chain due diligence.
US & Asia: Trade tensions, export controls, and grid access reforms are reshaping global supply chains and investment strategies.

Why does this matter?

These developments reflect a global race to secure energy resilience, technological leadership, and climate goals. This presents both opportunities and risks.

New lifecycle and supply chain regulations—especially in the EU—require proactive legal and operational responses.
Evolving rules around planning, permitting, and trade (e.g. UK, U.S., and China) can affect timelines, costs, and strategic decisions with regard to market access and investment.
Battery Passports and due diligence mandates are driving ESG accountability and reshaping procurement and reporting practices.
Export controls and tariffs are influencing sourcing strategies and cross-border partnerships.

Authored by Valerie Kenyon and Byron Phillips.

We bring legal, technical, and commercial capabilities across the full lifecycle of energy innovation. Our technology sector advises clients on bringing new battery products to market,structuring and negotiating JVs, and executing strategic transactions.

Our full-service energy and regulatory team includes lawyers with experience advising on environmental law, supply chain, and export controls.

We support clients in navigating and resolving disputes arising from energy storage projects and broader digital transformation in the energy sector, including regulatory investigations, product liability claims, supply chain and outsourcing risk, cross-border trade conflicts, and contractual disagreements. Our international disputes team is experienced in handling complex litigation and arbitration across key jurisdictions.

We also help clients navigate market access, compliance, and policy shifts across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our global teams provide end-to-end support across product regulation,

trade, sanctions, tax, and insurance—helping clients mitigate risk and seize emerging opportunities.