According to the USGA, demand for lithium destined for battery usage
is predicted to grow by 20% per year!
Lithium-ion batteries are already widely in use in a variety of portable electronic devices including over 60% of mobile phones and 90% of laptop computers. However, the most significant grown in the demand for Lithium Ion batteries will be linked to the next generation of hybrid/electric vehicles. Lithium batteries are already in proto types destined for the automotive market.
- GM has announced plans to build a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery plant to supply the power for its Chevy Volt, scheduled to debut in 2011.
- BMW plans to launch its remodeled Li-ion battery-powered 750i luxury sedan to the Japanese in 2010. This year, the company is producing 500 all-electric MINI Es, also with Li-ion batteries, for leasing in select cities.
- Toyota plans to launch plug-in hybrid Priuses with Li-ion batteries later this year.
- Mercedes-Benz plans to launch its S400 Blue HYBRID with a Li-ion battery next year.
- The Ford Escape plug-in hybrid with the same power technology is slated for 2012.
- The Tesla Roadster, Chyrsler EcoVoyager, Dodge ZEO, Jeep Renegade and the Saturn Flextreme are all slated for li-ion batteries.
- Nissan will use Li-ion batteries for the 65,000 hybrids they hope to manufacture by 2010.
- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. anticipates that demand will increase fivefold to meet the needs of electric vehicles.
Washington Legislators are keenly aware that if the US does not develop a domestic lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector, America may very well be shut out of the electric car business - he who makes the batteries will also make the cars.
