To date, China has controlled most of the refining capacity for this key EV component.
If it’s the one I’m thinking of, they are, appropriately enough, intending to build it in North Cobalt.
Isn’t it too late?
All the latest battery tech has or is moving away from cobalt
Lead acid batteries were invented in the 1800s and we still use those. Variety in technology is a good thing.
And some have largely disappeared from use, like the NiCd battery, supplanted by the NiMH. Apparently they’re only allowed as replacement in the EU. Not arguing against your point about variety but just pointing out that survivorship of one doesn’t guarantee another won’t die out. 😊
Yeah, LFP is gaining significant traction in EVs and CATL is expected to start production on similar-density sodium cells, which should be yet-cheaper.
Cobalt is still used in about half the EV battery production based on latest IEA report. And overall cobalt refining demand is increasing.
Lithium cobalt oxide still provides one of the highest cell voltages available and will likely have a place for a very long time.
I guess we aren’t switching away from the higest density materials for more constrained applications than EVs, like portable electronics and such.
