Lithium Has Basically Turned into “White Oil”
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Lithium is a soft metal that is silver-white in color. It can currently be found in a variety of objects but none more important for investors than lithium-ion batteries.
Today, lithium-ion batteries are used to power cell phones, laptops and, especially, electric vehicles. CRU Group, a consulting firm, is predicting electric car and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales will rise at a rate of 25 percent a year, surging past 17 million in total sales by 2030.
All of these vehicles will require lithium-ion batteries – that’s why lithium demand is skyrocketing.
And wait, there’s more. Consider these recent developments:
Tesla and Panasonic have begun producing high energy density lithium-ion batteries at their gigafactory in Nevada.
Experts are now saying that worldwide demand for lithium will hit 700,000 metric tons by 2025[1]. That would be a 300% increase from today.
The auto market is changing right in front of our eyes: forecasts are calling for annual sales of 30,000 to 80,000 for the Chevy Bolt, and Volvo has announced plans to sell more than 1 million electric vehicles by 2025