Lithium Market
The energy transition is driving lithium demand to unprecedented heights. In addition to lowering environmental impact, in some types of transportation and equipment electrification is now cheaper, faster, and lower maintenance than hydrocarbons. Current and future lithium demand extends beyond electric vehicle batteries and includes the broader electrification of transportation and the growth in energy storage, industrial machinery, advanced manufacturing, and everyday consumer electronics.
By 2030, U.S. battery plants are expected to require 40 times the current U.S. lithium production. Forecasts for increasing U.S. production satisfy just 25 percent of this demand. With current market conditions and mining techniques, this increase in demand poses both a significant national security risk and environmental impact.
Today’s lithium supply chain is concentrated in the hands of other countries. China controls 83 percent of the processed lithium needed to produce lithium-ion batteries. America’s transportation industry, energy grid, communications, manufacturing, and even military equipment remain vulnerable to foreign influence and events without a larger domestic supply chain.
Traditional lithium mining disrupts the natural environment and produces a significant carbon and water use footprint. Each ton of lithium produced displaces 500 tons of earth, emits 15 tons of carbon dioxide, and requires 500,000 gallons of water. Environmental impact occurs across the life cycle of lithium production – from mining to transportation for processing to ocean freight transport for delivery.
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