Possible Lithium Supply Issues - 2/17/09

With the rush to build and develop electric vehicles to lower the world’s reliance on foreign oil, there could be problems with the supply of minerals needed to build lithium batteries.  Half the worlds lithium is found in Bolivia and that country may not be willing to sell it so easily.

While other countries are trying to cut deals with Bolivia to secure a supply of lithium, there is a nationalist sentiment on lithium building by the government of Bolivia.  Bolivia knows they could be the Saudi Arabia of lithium for the world.

Demand for lithium has increased for use in thermonuclear weapons and cellular batteries, but the auto industry could become the largest user of lithium.  Lithium batteries are lighter than nickel batteries and can store more energy for a longer period of time making them the choice over nickel batteries.

Some believe the huge increase in electric cars will strain the world’s lithium supplies in a few years.  This demand will push lithium prices higher and possibly threatening the economics of the electric car revolution.

All this may lead and should lead to alternative battery solutions.  Here is a link to an article on what one company is doing to develop alternative batteries.
Cheaper Batteries for Hybrid Cars
Batteries will be the Key to Vehicles in the Future

I believe the combination of batteries and capacitors will be the answer.  For more information on this, go to this link.
Will Super Capacitors be the Answer to Renewable Energy?

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