Britain set to stockpile metals for electric cars to beat Chinese threat – The Telegraph

Officials at the Department for Business are discussing options to protect the United Kingdom’s access to vital materials including lithium and cobalt (Stock Image)

Britain is exploring the creation of a national stockpile of rare earth metals amid rising fears that the country’s efforts to adopt electric cars are at risk from a Chinese stranglehold on supplies, The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

Officials at the Department for Business are discussing options to protect the United Kingdom’s access to vital materials including lithium and cobalt, the report added.

Britain could build a national stockpile to avoid shortages, support attempts to create domestic sources such as potential lithium mines in Cornwall, or use its diplomatic network to secure supplies from abroad in partnership with private businesses, The Telegraph said citing government sources.

Related read: Metals price rally could hamper switch to green energy — IEA

Related read: No longer dirty? EU leaders want to challenge perceptions of lithium mining

(By Radhika Anilkumar; Editing by Chris Reese)

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