Derek - March 2022 - 35

Batteries, The
United States,
and China
U.S.electric vehicles (EV) are projected to make up 58% of
total global vehicle sales by 2040. This growth in EVs is
essential to reach net-zero emissions by midcentury and
avoid the worst impacts of climate change. As the United
States looks to bolster its domestic EV industry to reduce
emissions and take advantage of an enormous economic
opportunity, we should focus on the most important part of
the EV: the battery and China.
The United States has accused China of repeatedly spying
on U.S. manufacturers, stealing U.S. trade secrets, and
unfairly subsidizing Chinese companies. China is steadily
seizing chunks of the South China Sea and harassing ships
and fishing boats from other nations - prompting the
United States to step up naval patrols in response. China's
growing military and its ability to deliver intercontinental
ballistic missiles have prompted the United States to sign a
$66 billion deal to supply Australia with nuclear submarines.
The United States cannot afford to be dependent on a
nation that has potentially hostile intentions while it also
controls the single component that makes America's
conversion to electric cars and trucks viable. According to
production statistics compiled by Bloomberg, China ranks
first in the world in the mining of the raw materials to make
electric-vehicle batteries: lithium, nickel, manganese,
graphite, and cobalt (the United States ranks 11th
worldwide). China is first in battery manufacturing (the
United States ranks fourth; it is second behind China in
demand for batteries). China has among the lowest
environmental standards for battery manufacturing,
meaning it is less hindered by costly regulations from
polluting the air and water in its quest to maintain global
market domination.
Derek - March 2022

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