In 2019, the electric carmaker acquired Canada-based Hibar, which manufactures pumps used in fast-speed battery assembly that Tesla is introducing for its new 4680 cells.

A British magnet factory could be built by 2024 and eventually produce 2,000 tonnes a year of rare earth magnets, enough to supply about 1 million EVs.

Albemarle plans to start sales from a new plant in Chile early 2022 and from an expansion in Western Australia around the middle of the year.

The plan calls for a multi-phased approach, and work will include a new slurry preparation plant and expansion of other circuits at the mill.

It’s not just car buyers that may feel the pinch.

As the world moves towards alternative energy sources, copper will remain in high demand.

The auto industry may well be phasing out the internal combustion engine and EV sales are taking off, but that doesn’t mean the path to zero-emission driving will be easy.