Albemarle, a US-based chemical manufacturer, has been awarded a $90-million grant from the US Department of Defense to expand domestic mining and production of lithium for EV batteries. The grant will be used to purchase a fleet of mining equipment for the company’s planned reopening of its lithium mine in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. This mine is one of the few hard rock lithium deposits in the US and is expected to supply enough material for 50,000 tons lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) of conversion capacity.
The project is expected to be operational in late 2026 and will initially enable the production of 1.2 million EVs. Eric Norris, President of Energy Storage at Albemarle, commented on the importance of this project: “Lithium is an essential ingredient in our sustainable energy future. Demand is expected to increase significantly and it is imperative to secure our nation’s supply of this critical resource.”
The grant from the Department of Defense is a major step forward in securing a domestic supply of lithium for EV batteries. Albemarle’s project will help ensure that the US has access to this important resource and will help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign sources. This is an important step towards a more sustainable energy future and will help create jobs in the US.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
