Who has the metals?
Top 3 countries for each of the 5 metals most commonly used in EV batteries, ranked by estimated 2020 production in metric tons. Total known reserves also are listed.
Lithium
Cobalt
Manganese
Graphite
Nickel
Argentina: 55%
Chile: 36%
China: 5%
Russia: 2%
Other: 2%
LITHIUM
Gabon: 69%
South Africa: 17%
MANGANESE
Mexico: 8%
Australia: 4%
Other: 2%
Other: 43%
Norway: 20%
COBALT
Canada: 14%
Finland: 10%
Japan: 13%
China: 33%
Mexico: 23%
GRAPHITE
Other: 18%
Canada: 17%
India: 9%
Canada: 42%
Other: 31%
NICKEL
Norway: 10%
Finland: 9%
Russia: 8%
What countries does the U.S. depend on?
Top countries for U.S. lithium imports, 2016-19
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
[CEROS OBJECT]
Top countries for U.S. manganese imports, 2016-19
Top countries for U.S. cobalt imports, 2016-19
Top countries for U.S. graphite imports, 2016-19
Top countries for U.S. nickel imports, 2016-19
Lithium
Lithium is lightweight, can store lots of energy and can be repeatedly recharged.
COBALT
Cobalt offers a long life span for the battery and high energy density — a determining factor in how far a single charge can power an EV.
Manganese is part of the cathode in some of these batteries. It is abundant but is rarely found in high enough concentrations to form an ore deposit. Like nickel, it can be used in metal oxide form.
MANGANESE
COBALT
Cobalt offers a long life span for the battery and high energy density — a determining factor in how far a single charge can power an EV.
Manganese is part of the cathode in some batteries. It is abundant but is rarely found in high enough concentrations to form an ore deposit. Like nickel, it can be used in metal oxide form.
MANGANESE
Class 1 nickel, or pure nickel, makes up part of the battery’s cathode. It can be used in metal oxide formulas.
NICKEL
GRAPHITE
Graphite provides the anode material and is the single largest component of the battery by weight. There are few substitutes. Graphite is a form of carbon.
Cobalt
Manganese
Graphite
Nickel
Lithium