Three Reasons Why Direct Lithium Extraction Could Fuel the Next Decade of EVs

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June 27, 2024 Article & Editing Graphics & Design Why Direct Lithium Extraction Could Power the Next Decade of EVs

Transport is changing, and with more and more EVs zipping through the streets, lithium is fast becoming one of the world’s most critical minerals because of its importance for batteries.

However, mining and refining lithium is complicated, time-consuming, and potentially environmentally damaging. 

So, for this graphic, Visual Capitalist has partnered with EnergyX to explore three reasons why direct lithium extraction (DLE), an efficient method of mining and refining lithium, could help power the next decade of EVs.

1: DLE Cuts Extraction Times

Over 40 million EVs will be sold annually by 2030, over 10 times the amount sold in 2022, placing incredible demand on lithium production.

YearEV Sales Total 20203,158,700 202314,385,660 2025F22,449,800 2030F44,702,000 2035F64,280,000

Typically, extracting a metric ton of lithium takes between 18 and 24 months using conventional methods. However, using direct lithium extraction, the same amount can be sourced in as little as one or two days, making it much more efficient in supplying the lithium to power the next wave of EVs. 

2: DLE Could Bridge the Lithium Supply Gap

The incredible demand placed on the lithium industry could also lead to an over 1.4 million metric ton supply deficit by 2030 if no additional production is brought online.

2030 Supply2030 Demand LCE (million metric tons)1.643.06

EnergyX’s proprietary direct lithium extraction technology, LiTAS™, can increase lithium production by up to 300% over conventional methods and potentially improve lithium supplies. 

3: DLE Improves Battery Capacity

Blocks of lithium batteries power many EVs, so as these vehicles become more advanced and more people drive them, the demand for higher-density lithium batteries will only grow. In fact, between 2022 and 2030, the demand for energy stored by lithium batteries will increase by 27% annually.

YearBattery Demand (GWh) 2022700 20251,700 20304,700

EnergyX’s DLE technology, LiTAS™, which enables lithium metals to be applied directly to a battery’s anode, can significantly improve energy density and pave the way for the

Mapped: Where Tesla and BYD Make Their Cars

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June 11, 2024 Graphics/Design:

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app.

Mapped: Where Tesla and BYD Make Their Cars

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

In 2023, Tesla and BYD were the world’s two largest electric vehicle (EV) companies by a large margin, holding 19.9% and 17.1% market shares respectively.

With no other company able to match their scale, these two automakers have found themselves locked in a competition for the global EV crown. In Q4 2023, BYD outsold Tesla for the first time ever by 41,000 vehicles (526,000 vs 485,000). In Q1 2024, however, their positions were switched after Tesla outsold BYD by 87,000 vehicles (387,000 vs 300,000).

To gain insight into this rivalry, we’ve visualized the locations of both companies’ present and future EV factories, along with their estimated maximum annual output. Figures come from a variety of sources, and represent the latest information pertaining to planned production facilities (as of April 2024).

Tesla’s EV Factories

Starting with Tesla, this graphic highlights the locations of their four operational factories. Gigafactory Shanghai is the largest in terms of production output, at 750,000 vehicles per year.

Note that Gigafactory Nevada is not on this list because it produces battery cells, rather than finished vehicles.

CompanyLocationMax Annual OutputEst. Completion Tesla🇺🇸 Fremont, CA650,000– Tesla🇺🇸 Austin, TX250,000– Tesla🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany250,000– Tesla🇨🇳 Shanghai, China750,000– Tesla🇲🇽 Monterrey, MexicoTBD2026

Tesla’s China factory is unique in that it’s fully owned by Tesla itself, rather than a joint venture with a local company.

Looking to the future, Tesla’s next factory will be Gigafactory Mexico, which was announced (with few details) in March 2023. According to reporting by Electrek, the Mexican government is eager for the factory to begin construction, despite CEO Elon Musk voicing concerns about today’s high-interest rate environment.

BYD’s EV Factories

Although EV demand is not growing as quickly as it was in previous years, BYD is putting the pedal to the floor when it comes to global expansion. The company has announced factories in various regions including Europe, Southeast