People are gradually emerging from lockdown and taking to the road again, often only to find they need a replacement lead-acid battery for the car.

EVE, based in Huizhou in southern China, said in an exchange filing it planned to take 28.1% equity in Jinkulun Lithium Industry Co, which makes lithium metal in China.

Many juniors are on the hunt for ‘technology metals,’ a broad category that includes cobalt, copper, nickel, platinum group elements, graphite, lithium, rare earth elements, and silver, among others.

LG Energy Solution Co., SK Innovation Co. and Samsung SDI Co. will be key players.

The document approved a plant with capacity to produce 20,000 tonnes of lithium chloride annually.

A jump in demand for traditional lead-acid car batteries and lingering freight problems have created shortages that have been felt most acutely in the huge US automotive sector.