Miners operating in Europe say prospects for getting projects underway look uncertain because of a lengthy permitting framework and fervent local opposition.

Raw material costs have more than doubled since Elon Musk said Tesla will produce 20 million vehicles per year before 2030.

Graphite, which is mostly produced in China, may cause issues.

To win the full credit, EV makers have to source in 2023 at least two-fifths of battery materials from the US or free trade agreement partners such as Canada, Chile and Australia or recycle it in North America.

This is first loan from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program finalized since 2011.

During a time of price weakness for a number of industrial metals, the price of graphite has held up extremely well.

Based on a comparison of one of the most promising solid-state batteries to lithium-ion technology and using sustainable lithium sources, a battery's carbon footprint could be cut by as much as 39%.