Cars play a significant role when it comes to contributing to carbon emissions, and the emergence of Electric Cars (or Electric Vehicles (EVs) as they are known in America) is big step forward in the battle to reduce these emissions. It is also imperative to transition to low or zero emissions vehicles with the rise of emerging nations like China and India who are growing quite rapidly. If we don’t change gear on petrol-fuelled cars, we may never be able to shift the balance to halt climate change once these markets emerge to peak levels of use.
Fortunately nowadays, car companies have advanced their technology and introduced several energy efficient and fully electric vehicles, and additionally many governments are backing their introduction with purchase incentives and infrastructure development for electric car recharging stations. Unfortunately Australia is currently far behind most other developed countries in this race.
The Lithium Triangle
Regardless, the one element standing in the way of mass production of affordable electric cars on an international scale is the lack of Lithium. Lithium Ion batteries are currently used to power electric cars. Lithium batteries are the same batteries as those used in computer laptops, mobile phones and other electrical devices. While there may be sufficient Lithium deposits in the earth for the short term, the main issue is that we can’t take it out of the ground efficiently.
Today most of the world’s Lithium comes from the Lithium Triangle, where the borders of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina meet. This tiny area holds 70 per cent of the earth’s Lithium. The Lithium-Potash mining sector has been developed over many years by several foreign mining companies such as Australia's Orocobre Ltd, who as recently as January 2010, agreed to jointly develop a US$80-$100 million lithium project at Argentina's Olaroz salt lake with a sister company to Toyota Motor Corporation. These deposits have spawned growth in exploration throughout that pristine region as the demand continues to grow in order to cater for its use in energy efficient and electric vehicles as well as the ever-increasing selection of portable electronic devices.
“Lithium is a comparatively rare element, although it is found in many rocks and some brines, but always in very low concentrations. There are a fairly large number of both lithium mineral and brine deposits but only comparatively a few of them are of actual or potential commercial value. Many are very small, others are too low in grade”.
Handbook of Lithium and Natural Calcium by Donald Garrett
Currently, Bolivia holds the world’s largest Lithium deposit in the salt lake, Salar de Uyuni, with approximately half the earth’s known Lithium. However, mining companies in Bolivia have all been nationalised and may struggle to exploit it lacking the know-how and the capital. It is also thought that a high degree of magnesium and regular flooding may complicate the lithium recovery. Compounding this is the lack of confidence from foreign mining companies in doing businesses with the Bolivian Government again, as many companies previously had their assets stolen.
To develop the area itself, the Bolivian government would have to spend $500 million on roads, water and energy infrastructure. The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, does not have high regard for western nations and is in no sense capitalistic. The concern is that without Bolivia, we may run into worries years down the road when the current production wears thin. Then, Bolivia will be able to hold the world hostage for its Lithium.
Next we’ll see the US and other first world nations invading countries with these resources under a new smokescreen of environmental terrorism. Is Lithium the new oil? And will we learn from our history that whenever we deplete our natural resources, we simply continue our addiction in new form. The need to drive more, buy more, have more in order to be more is a disease that we need to cure, before taking out more of the earth’s riches. Shouldn’t we heal our need for consumption before causing more unknown harm to the planet? It’s like swapping alcohol addiction for drug addiction; its still an addiction, just a new form of experiencing it.
For more information:
- Lithium Research for Electric Vehicle Mass Production
- An example of US’ appetite for mineral reserves?
Written by Leor Shavel
Additional research by Suze Chalmers
Image credits:
Top – View of pristine Salar de Uyuni: Victor Sounds via Flickr Creative Commons
Bottom – Salt flat at Salar de Uyuni: Phil Whitehouse via Flickr Creative Commons
