China Cracks Cheap Lithium Production

[Brian W + 78]

The Chinese government claims a new technological breakthrough pushes lithium production prices to a record low, which could have a big effect on electric car battery costs.

A Chinese government report claims the new process has made the cost of extracting lithium $2,180 per ton which is a huge dropoff from standard international prices for lithium that often range from $12,000 to $20,000 per ton.

China produces about two-thirds of all lithium-ion batteries and controls most of the world’s lithium processing facilities. 

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3010200/china-cracks-cheap-lithium-production-electric-car-breakthrough 

[footeab@yahoo.com + 2,190]

This is always one of those: I'll believe it when I see it.  Chemistry does not change quickly over time.