Battery Metals

There’s a lot to like about electric vehicles. They’re quiet, reliable, and about twice as efficient as the most frugal hybrid, not to mention that whole “instant torque” thing. But there’s no denying that vehicles with internal combustion engines have a big advantage when driving distances requiring more energy than you set off with. A […]

Slower-than-expected consumer adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2023, wavering economic growth in China since the pandemic and burgeoning lithium and cobalt supplies have sent prices of both metals lower even as producer/hedger interest in futures contracts has expanded dramatically. China is the biggest market for EVs, while lithium and cobalt are used in the […]

In the fast-moving world of battery metals, 2022 already feels like a bygone era. Back then, prices were soaring, automakers were fretting about long-term shortages and Elon Musk was describing lithium costs as “insane.” A year-and-half on from the Tesla Inc. CEO’s comments, the market dynamics for metals crucial to the energy transition have flipped. […]

In the fast-moving world of battery metals, 2022 already feels like a bygone era. Back then, prices were soaring, automakers were fretting about long-term shortages and Elon Musk was describing lithium costs as “insane.” A year-and-half on from the Tesla Inc. CEO’s comments, the market dynamics for metals crucial to the energy transition have flipped. […]

TrendForce reports that China’s EV battery market is undergoing a period of turbulence due to an overall lack of demand. Battery suppliers are reportedly reluctant to replenish their inventories and are instead, focusing on depleting existing stocks. This has resulted in insufficient demand to support the prices of upstream lithium materials, leading to a continuous decline […]

The renewables arm of British power generator SSE (SSE.L) has taken an investment decision to build a 320 megawatt (MW) battery storage project in Yorkshire, north England, it said on Wednesday. Britain has a goal to decarbonise its electricity system by 2035 by increasing renewable power generation which will also require a large scale-up of […]

Europe’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, is delaying plans for a fourth EV battery factory for now. CEO Oliver Blume said the decision was based on market conditions in Europe. Volkswagen pushes back fourth EV battery plant plans The Volkswagen Group announced plans to open six gigafactories by the end of the decade. VW has already chosen three […]

Electric truck maker Nikola said Thursday that it has received nearly 300 orders for its new hydrogen fuel cell semitruck — but it’s facing what will be a costly recall of its earlier battery-electric trucks. Nikola recalled all of its Tre battery-electric trucks, 209 in total, in August following a fire caused by a coolant leak in a […]

The State Department on Wednesday announced a partnership with the nonprofit SAFE on the development of critical mineral supply chains, part of broader Biden administration efforts to reduce foreign dependence on such resources. The partnership, the Minerals Investment Network for Vital Energy Security and Transition (MINVEST), will aim to marshal private sector support for U.S. […]

RALEIGH, N.C. — Toyota will invest an additional $8 billion in the hybrid and electric vehicle battery factory it’s constructing in North Carolina, more than doubling its prior investments and expected number of new jobs, the company announced Tuesday. The Japanese automotive manufacturer projects the new investment will create about 3,000 additional jobs, bringing the […]