Search for LiFePO4 Outside of China

China's control over critical minerals for lithium battery production, impacts the EV industry. To avoid reliance on the scarce and challenging-to-extract minerals of nickel and copper, automakers are turning to LFP batteries, made with lithium, iron, and phosphate (LiFePo4). However, China also holds control over the importation of the critical minerals necessary for LFP batteries.

Lithium, the scarcest of the three LiFePo4 minerals, is the key for catching up to China. Australia, accounting for 47% of the world's lithium production exports the majority of it to China due to the presence of numerous lithium refining plants. Recently, Australia has invested in domestic lithium refining, opening the doors to free trade agreements with the U.S.