Pedal to the metal: Policy overview of critical minerals used in lithium-ion batteries

Highlights

• Lithium-ion batteries are the dominant battery design, and their demand is expected to grow in the coming decades.
• China dominates the production and refining of lithium-ion batteries’ critical minerals; its policies preserve and exploit this dominance for other political gains.
• Other producer countries seek to increase production, as well as maximizing value through supply controls and internal investment.

Abstract

Critical minerals play an important role in modern energy technologies but have sparked geopolitical, economic, and environmental concerns. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are increasingly popular due to their use in electric vehicle technology, are made of a variety of critical minerals. This review offers a policy-centered overview of these critical minerals, emphasizing their production, geographical disparity, and governance. Ultimately, this work highlights the differences in global power dynamics and the significance of LIB related critical mineral policies for global equity and environmental sustainability