China is looking to curb efforts from its automakers looking to set up factories overseas, by adding electric vehicle battery technologies to the country's export restriction list.

The New York Times reports that, as of July 15, the Chinese government now requires all businesses to get a license for overseas transfers — whether through trade, investment or technological cooperation – of three core technologies used for lithium iron phosphate batteries, as well as for five technologies for producing lithium used in all kinds of batteries. 

Chinese companies such as BYD and CATL have made significant strides in battery technology in recent years, having developed methods to pack more electricity into a single lithium iron phosphate battery, and increase the number of recharges each battery has.

China's Communist Party leadership also identified scientific training and education as one of its top priorities at its once-in-a-decade policy meeting in 2024. The country has nearly 50 graduate programs focused on battery chemistry or metallurgy, compared to the small handful of U.S. professors who focus on similar specialities. 

The new restrictions on EV battery tech arrive as the EU has continued to press Chinese automakers to set up manufacturing in Europe. Chinese EVs have become increasingly popular in the bloc, with Chinese car brands accounting for nearly 5% of the EU's new car market in April, according to data from research firm JATO Dynamics, up from 2.4% in that same month the previous year. BYD, XPeng and MG were all also among the top 20 highest selling brands in Norway in June, CNBC reports.