While there is plenty of talk about EV trucking—and signs that it will become increasingly available—its future is still dependent on a reliable lithium supply chain. For the United States, that’s still a big lift, as much of the country’s ability to source lithium is dependent on foreign sources. The National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries identifies holes in the country’s lithium supply chain and suggests solutions for improving it.
For starters, the United States needs to improve its lithium production. Currently, only one domestic lithium producer exists (in Nevada), and as a nation, the United States holds approximately 3.5 percent of the global lithium reserves. Increasing sourcing on a domestic level remains a massive undertaking. It’s not only cost prohibitive, but threatens the environment, as well. Still, the federal government is providing big investment in the country’s battery supply chain, minerals mapping, and minerals extraction in hopes of kickstarting the process. Some of this will go towards innovation, which includes developing batteries that use fewer critical minerals, as an alternative to lithium. The hurdles remain, but with demand for EVs skyrocketing, creative solutions will surely follow.
