(Yicai Global) Feb. 19 -- China's three major stock benchmarks fell throughout the day with some new energy vehicle battery makers rising and others sliding after news surfaced about Tesla considering using cobalt-free batteries.

The Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.32 percent to 2,975.40. The Shenzhen Component Index ended 0.63 percent lower at 11,235.60. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, closed 1.45 percent down to 2,139.44. 

Contemporary Amperex Technology's shares [SHE:300750] fell 2.18 percent to CNY153.2 (USD21.90) today after Reuters reported yesterday that the Ningde-based firm is in talks with the US carmaker about not using the element in China-made Teslas. 

Meanwhile, Beijing Hezong Science & Technology [SHE:300477] jumped by 10 percent and BYD [SHE: 002594] rose by over 4 percent.

Editor: Emmi Laine