Enough nickel, lithium for 14 million EVs in 2023 – European climate group

div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy Nick Careyp

pReuters – Data shows there is enough nickel and lithium to produce up to 14 million electric vehicles EVs globally in 2023, so Europe should secure more raw materials to shift away from oil faster, campaign group Transport and Environment T&E said on Tuesday.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

pIn a study based on BloombergNEF data on global maximum volumes of EV batterygrade nickel and lithium, T&E said that in 2025 there would be enough to make 21 million EVs globally. p

pExcluding Russian nickel, T&E said there should be sufficient raw materials for 19 million EVs in 2025. p

pGlobal EV sales more than doubled to 4.2 million vehicles in 2021 from just over 2 million in 2020. p

pAutomotive consultancy LMC has forecast global EV sales will hit 9 million in 2023 and 14.2 million in 2025.p

pPrices of EV battery materials have soared over the last year, with batterygrade nickel breaking fresh records after the invasion of Ukraine as Russia is a major nickel producer.p

pSome analysts have warned of shortterm batterysupply bottlenecks as the auto industry rapidly accelerates production of zeroemission cars, which could then be followed by a glut as a plethora of mining and battery plant projects come online.p

pT&E said competition for lithium and nickel was fierce and noted both China and the United States had been working to ensure access to those raw materials. p

pEurope needs to follow suit and establish an agency to ensure the supply of “sustainably sourced critical metals”.p

p“While China and the U.S. are flexing their policy muscle to secure supplies of critical metals, European leaders are scouring the globe for more oil,” said T&E senior director Julia Poliscanova. “Now is the time to focus on sourcing the sustainable raw materials the continent needs for our energy independence and a green future.”p

p

pp Reporting by Nick Carey Editing by Mark Potterp

divdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivdivdiv