Germany: Lithium deficiency becomes a risk for the expected e-car boom

According to calculations by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), there will not be enough lithium by 2030 to meet the federal government's goal of 15 million electric cars.

Hanover - This is reported by the Handelsblatt (Thursday edition), citing the study. "Even if all projects currently planned and under construction are implemented on schedule and we assume moderate growth in demand, we will not have enough lithium to meet global demand in 2030," said study author Michael Schmidt. In 2020, 82,000 tons of lithium were produced worldwide, and over the next eight years demand will increase to at least 316,000 or more than 550,000 tons per year, depending on the scenario.

According to the BGR experts, in the worst case, 300,000 tons of lithium per year would be missing in 2030. In the best case, still 90,000 tons - as much as is currently produced per year. 90 percent of the processed raw material then flows into lithium-ion batteries for electric cars.

A VW spokesman said that the capacity and demand situation is constantly being monitored together with the suppliers. The car company is confident that it will be able to meet the demand for lithium in the future and is primarily focusing on recycling. "We are extremely dependent on imports and are not even in a good position when you look at the market," said Schmidt.

Europe is becoming dangerously dependent on prices. The three largest companies worldwide come from China, Chile and the USA.

Source: Der Newsticker

Photo: Euronews.