BRUSSELS, June 19 (Reuters) - Europe is in danger of losing the race to become a global battery powerhouse as access to raw materials remains a major roadblock along with rising costs and fierce competition, a report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said on Monday. The ECA, the EU's independent external auditor, said nearly one in five new cars registered in the bloc in 2021 had an electrical plug. However, the EU's strategy has not taken into account the bloc's ability to meet this new battery demand. "The EU aspires to become a global battery powerhouse to ensure its economic sovereignty but will it succeed? China accounts for 76% of global battery production capacity.

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Persons: Turtelboom, Julia Payne, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: European, Auditors, European Union, ECA, EU, Democratic, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Europe, Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Portugal