Batteries
EV Battery Materials
Lithium Carbonate Price History
Spot price of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃, the most-traded lithium feedstock for cathode production) in China, in $/tonne. Spiked to ~$78K in April 2022 before crashing roughly 85%. The swing has driven the recent cost moves in LFP and NMC cells.
EV Battery Pack Cost: The Learning Curve
Average EV battery pack price in $/kWh (kilowatt-hour of capacity), in real 2024 dollars. Down 84% since 2013 and now approaching the ~$100/kWh threshold widely seen as the tipping point where EVs reach price parity with gas-engine (ICE) cars.
Battery Manufacturer Capital Expenditure
Annual capex (capital spending on new battery factories and capacity expansion) by top manufacturers, in $B. Gigafactory builds run $3–$6B each; CATL and BYD lead spend. 2025E are company-guided estimates.
USGS Lithium Mine Production by Country
Lithium content, metric tons. World output (excluding withheld US production) rose from 222,000 t in 2024 to an estimated 290,000 t in 2025. Australia led, followed by China and Chile.
USGS Global Lithium End Use, 2025
Batteries were 88% of lithium consumption in 2025 (EV, grid storage, electronics, and tools). Ceramics, greases, and other industrial uses split the remaining 12%.
USGS Cobalt Mine Production by Country
Congo (Kinshasa) supplied about 73% of 2025 mine output. Indonesia is second. USGS notes Congo's 2025 export ban was replaced with quotas in October 2025. China still dominates refining.
USGS Nickel Mine Production by Country
Indonesia accounted for about 67% of 2025 world mine output. Australia and the Philippines cut production on low prices. The primary nickel market has been in surplus since 2022.
USGS Natural Graphite Mine Production by Country
China dominates natural graphite mine output. The United States produced none in 2025. Anode-ready spherical graphite is a further processing step still concentrated in China.
Lithium Sales Volumes: Albemarle vs SQM
Company-disclosed sales, not USGS mine output. Albemarle reported 235 kt LCE in 2025. SQM's Chilean Nova Andino division sold 233.1 thousand metric tons of lithium and derivatives.
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