The U.S. electric vehicle industry faces mounting pressure as lithium supply chain bottlenecks threaten its ambitious expansion plans. While a new Texas facility has pioneered extracting battery-grade lithium carbonate from wastewater using innovative technology, analysts caution this represents only a fraction of the nation's needs in 2025.
"This breakthrough shows American ingenuity, but scaling remains years behind China's established infrastructure," said energy analyst Mark Chen. The Chinese mainland currently processes 65% of global lithium and manufactures over 70% of EV batteries worldwide, according to International Energy Agency data.
Industry leaders warn the widening gap could delay U.S. climate targets and force automakers to rely on foreign suppliers. Meanwhile, Chinese battery giants have announced three new megafactories this year alone, leveraging vertical integration from mining to manufacturing.
The development highlights growing strategic competition in green technology, with lithium now dubbed "white gold" by investors. As global EV demand is projected to triple by 2030, securing sustainable mineral supplies has become a national priority for multiple governments.
