John Lounsbury

Will the U.S. Move From Arab Oil Dependence to Asian Battery Dependence?

Good article. Batteries don't come out of the ground but their chemical components do, as pointed out by John Polemny. However, lithium is not as rare as some may think. It is more abundant in the earth's crust than such metals as cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. Lithium is just slightly less abundant than lead. Whereas these metals are mined from soil and rock (mostly rock), lithium is extracted from salt deposits, salt water and clays. I am not familiar with the cost and environmental comparisons of the processes. Perhaps another reader can comment.

Regardless of where the raw materials come from, the batteries will be manufactured where the capital and labor costs are most advantageous (Petersen comment) but will move where needed to assure supply (implied in the Petersen comment).

All readers - - -

John Petersen did not mention it, but he has written an excellent series of SA articles on energy storage technology and has attracted a healthy crew of commenters. Those wanting to supplement this article should click on his name above and then click through to his article list.