Based on the cost structure, the review offers a realistic sales estimate of electric vehicles by 2015 and its impact on the demand of lithium vehicle batteries as well as the supply of lithium chemicals. Author and Director of SRIC’s Process Economics Program, R.J. Chang commented, “The world has ample reserve to accommodate future lithium demand growth for years to come, even if the grid-ready vehicles eventually take a significantly large share of the global auto production.” Mr. Chang continued, “By 2015, the world is estimated to have the capacity to make batteries for nearly 400,000 electric cars. A little more than half of that capacity will be in the U.S., largely due to government subsidies.”
The Lithium for Electric Vehicles—a Technology and Economic Assessment review also investigates the technical requirements of lithium ion batteries, the state of technology development, and performance and cost targets which hold the key to future cost reduction and demand growth. Chemistry and structure of secondary (rechargeable) lithium ion battery cells are covered, and the current performance characteristics of key components—cathode, anode and electrolyte—are presented.
