The demand for batteries in the United States is expected to increase by 5.9 percent per year through 2009, according to a recent study by the Cleveland-based market research firm the Freedonia Group.
Although lead-acid batteries will account for nearly 60 percent of all secondary battery sales in 2009, other batteries are expected to experience stronger rates of growth, including lithium ion, lithium polymer and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
The Freedonia study predicts a number of trends will drive the increase in battery demand, including strong demand for battery-powered products like cellular phones and digital cameras and increasing production of electronic devices.
Sales of secondary batteries are forecast to out-pace primary batteries through 2009, partly because of strong growth in the use of high-drain portable electronic products, according to the study. Secondary battery demand will also be supported by reductions in the time required to charge batteries, making secondary types more appealing to consumers and nearly as convenient as primary cells, the Freedonia study predicts.