Electric Car War Sends Lithium Prices Sky High

Oilprice.com ^ | 23-02-2016 | Page

[bananaman22]

With lithium prices skyrocketing beyond wildest expectations, talk heating up about acquisitions and mergers in this space and a fast-brewing war among electric car rivals, it’s no wonder everyone’s bullish on this golden commodity that promises to become the ‘’new gasoline”.

Moreover, land grabs, rising price predictions, and expectations of a major demand spike are leaping out of the shadows of a pending energy revolution and a new technology-driven resource era.

For once, we have agreement across the board on a commodity: Demand for lithium will continue to rise throughout the year--and beyond--spurred by the rise of battery mega/gigafactories and a burgeoning energy storage business that will change the way we live.

That’s why Goldman Sachs calls lithium the “new gasoline”. It’s also why The Economist calls it “the world’s hottest commodity”, and talks about a “global scramble to secure supplies of lithium by the world’s largest battery producers, and by end-users such as carmakers.”

[aft_lizard]

Nah, no stranglehold on lithium for the chicoms. The US has plenty to meet our own needs if we developed them and Bolivia has the largest proven reserves, about half of the worlds known reserves.

[grey_whiskers]

Yawn. Ping me when they start using dilithium.

+1

So not just bipolar, but quadrupoles?

[Lockbox]

More manufacturers found to violate diesel emissions standards - but blame the test, not the vehicles

You cannot compare a Laboratory test to gathering data in the Field. In the USA we have the FTP which is used to determine compliance. The FTP is a scientific test were all the parameters are controlled for repeatability and accuracy. Temperature, humidity, driving cycle, specific fuel are all closely monitored for accuracy. This laboratory test allows for repeatability to achieve accurate results.

Driving the same car in "the real world" is not a valid test. There are too many uncontrolled variables in the real world to state whether the car meets or doesn't meet the applicable standard when the standard is determined by a controlled laboratory test.

Now, do the car manufacturers design the pollution equipment to pass the FTP? Of course they do, because that's the standard they need to meet.

[Paal Gulli]

I got news for you. If you dream that electric cars will EVER be substantially cheaper to operate than dinosaur-powered, you’re smoking crack. Because no government EVER will willingly give up a tax resource. As soon as electric cars put a noticeable dent in fuel tax levies, BADA-BING, wheel tax, which Oregon already has drawn the roadmap to.

[nascarnation]

Certainly with vehicles becoming heavily electronic and “connected” it will be quite easy for govt to tabulate and tax based on mileage.

[semimojo]

IIRC, China pretty much has a monopoly on the stuff.

Nope, it's Bolivia but they're just about as communist.

[BwanaNdege]

Re:”8 Top Lithium-producing Countries”

Information? We don’t need no stinkin’ information!”

Bluster, conjecture & speculation are so much more exciting!

(thanks for posting!)

[BobL]

Sounds to me that Lithium Ion batteries were a GREAT IDEA...until people started actually using them in large quantities.

[GOPJ]

With lithium prices skyrocketing beyond wildest expectations...

Why does this feel like the Chinese are involved?

[AdmSmith]

No need to waste Lithium on electrical cars, it is better with hybrid cars (fossil fuel + battery)

The hybrid car is not new - Ferdinand Porsche designed the series-hybrid vehicle in 1898. Called the Lohner-Porsche carriage, the hybrid function served as an electrical transmission rather than power boost. With Mr. Porsche in the driver's seat, the car broke several Austrian speed records, including the Exelberg Rally in 1901. Another example of an early hybrid was the 1915 Woods Motor Vehicle built in Chicago. The car used a four-cylinder internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Below 15 mph (25 km/h), the electric motor propelled the vehicle; at higher speeds, the gasoline engine kicked in to take the vehicle up to a top speed of 35 mph (55 km/h)
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/are_hybrid_cars_here_to_stay

In a few years from now we will as well produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels from carbon dioxide + carbon (coal) + water and heat from nuclear power plants at low costs

[P.O.E.]

Nuclear power is the most reasonable alternative, Jane Fonda’s China Syndrome hype notwithstanding.