General Motors to source American lithium for its battery cells

General Motors, the very important American automaker, just announced it had formed a strategic investment and commercial collaboration with Controlled Thermal Resources, a California-based lithium extraction firm. With this alliance, GM says it would allow it to secure ” local and low-cost lithium,” for its Ultium battery packs. The lithium will be produced through a method known as a closed-loop, direct extraction process. GM says it results in a smaller footprint, no production tailing and lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional lithium mining processes like pit mining or evaporation ponds.

Lithium is a key battery material that is used in the cathodes and electrolytes of all GM EVs, including the recently launched 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. The first stage of CTR’s Hell’s Kitchen lithium mining project should be yielding lithium in 2024.

Photo GM