Transition mineral reserves are highly concentrated outside of the United States 50% of global lithium and cobalt reserves are in Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) respectively. Low domestic supply of EV battery minerals and recycled materials for battery manufacturing is a common concern. Let’s start at the beginning with upstream extraction and refining activities.

This supply chain is quite complex, and challenges pop up throughout each step. At the end of the downstream portion of this supply chain, batteries are hopefully reused or recycled so that their materials can be recovered and used in new batteries. Finally, the battery cells are sent to yet another manufacturing facility where they are combined into large packs that can then be used in electric vehicles. Once refined, one manufacturer uses these materials to make cathodes and anodes – the “positive” and “negative” side of the battery respectively – and sends them to downstream facilities that makes battery cells. These ores are then transported to a facility where they are processed to remove extraneous materials and refined to a quality suitable for batteries. The mining industry is responsible for the upstream portion of battery supply chains including identifying and exploring mineral reserves and extracting ores – sediments mixed with valuable minerals – from these resources. The battery supply chain is composed of many actors who work to transform raw mineral building blocks into the sophisticated devices we use daily to power our electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops. Mineral needs for electric vehicle batteries will significantly drive overall market demand for transition minerals over the coming decades. These five battery minerals, a handful of other critical minerals, and a few rare earth elements and other non-critical minerals like copper make up the “ transition minerals” that we need for a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) economy. economy, the Department of Interior has included these elements on its list of “ critical minerals” in recent years indicating concerns about securing future supply. Due to the growing importance of EVs and batteries to the U.S. These chemical elements form the basic building blocks of lithium-ion battery cells and are what gives them the power to store and release energy for propelling electric vehicles. Many challenges with battery supply chains are tied to extracting and processing of five minerals used in many of today’s leading electric vehicle (EV) batteries: lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite. So, what are these challenges, and how are decision makers thinking about solutions? Transition Minerals and Battery Supply Chains Luckily, the United States has begun to take steps towards addressing some battery supply chain challenges, but more prioritization and funding is needed to ensure we can have access to the minerals needed to accelerate transportation electrification, without jeopardizing the health of the environment and communities that often bear the brunt of contamination and climate change impacts. We must act now to build out sustainable battery supply chains and ensure they limit environmental and human health harms. With this increasing demand for electric vehicles comes increasing demand for batteries.

Sales are taking off in major markets like Europe, China and here in the U.S., with growth likely continuing in the coming decades. Electric vehicles continue to increase in popularity due to growing consumer awareness, many compelling new models coming to market, and several jurisdictions now taking action to reduce pollution and address climate change.

Tesla car battery overview