Discussion
Are we all stumbling blind into ultimate Chinese control ? They almost bagged us with 5G.
From the New York Times:
As of 2020, Chinese firms controlled more than 60 percent of the world’s lithium and nickel refining and over 70 percent of cobalt refining, according to a report prepared by the consulting firm Roland Berger for SAFE, the energy security group that one of us chairs. These are essential for lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The same report found that U.S. companies account for only 4 percent of lithium, 1 percent of nickel and zero percent of cobalt refining. Further along this supply chain, Chinese companies produce 41 percent of the cathodes and 71 percent of the anodes used in E.V. batteries. The United States produces essentially none of these key components.
From the New York Times:
As of 2020, Chinese firms controlled more than 60 percent of the world’s lithium and nickel refining and over 70 percent of cobalt refining, according to a report prepared by the consulting firm Roland Berger for SAFE, the energy security group that one of us chairs. These are essential for lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The same report found that U.S. companies account for only 4 percent of lithium, 1 percent of nickel and zero percent of cobalt refining. Further along this supply chain, Chinese companies produce 41 percent of the cathodes and 71 percent of the anodes used in E.V. batteries. The United States produces essentially none of these key components.
ks, we just ship all our crap in from the other side of the world. Genius.RazerSauber said:
I'm fairly sure that China has been the global manufacturing powerhouse for a few decades now. Most of the things in the world are made in China!
Exactly, why should batteries be any different? We can't manufacturer stuff at home for anything like the same price as wee choose to pay for far higher welfare and safety standards. You can't have both.However, where we absolutely rule over the Chinese these days is in terms of invention and innovation. They're catching up there too... But for whatever reason the west seem to be pretty good at innovation.
Also hilarious to see a user called Sparta concerned about a Trojan Horse
TheDeuce said:
RazerSauber said:
I'm fairly sure that China has been the global manufacturing powerhouse for a few decades now. Most of the things in the world are made in China!
Exactly, why should batteries be any different? We can't manufacturer stuff at home for anything like the same price as wee choose to pay for far higher welfare and safety standards. You can't have both.However, where we absolutely rule over the Chinese these days is in terms of invention and innovation. They're catching up there too... But for whatever reason the west seem to be pretty good at innovation.
Also hilarious to see a user called Sparta concerned about a Trojan Horse
It's not about innovation.
It's about power and control.
Now softened up by Covid the West has a much bigger storm coming according to recent studies
But do keep your head in the sand if you wish
I don't really see a reliance on China for Lithium as being any worse than our current reliance on the middle east for oil. At least once the EVs are built we can potentially be self sufficient when it comes to "fueling" them.
Or we could if the government wasn't intent on buying nuclear power stations from China.
Or we could if the government wasn't intent on buying nuclear power stations from China.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 24th February 11:16
kambites said:
I don't really see a reliance on China for Lithium as being any worse than our current reliance on the middle east for oil. At least once the EVs are built we can potentially be self sufficient when it comes to "fueling" them.
OPEC countries which includes Venezuela have some due process at least.Edited by kambites on Thursday 24th February 11:16
China will simply demand whatever it wants. All part of their long game
China have been slowly buying most of Africa. They aren’t daft, and their system of government means they can have a century long project to make China great again. And currently it’s working a treat. Once they’ve raised the majority of their population to middle class wages/standards, they’ll be far less reliant on exports. Then we will really see a shift in power.
The future looks very bleak for the West. That’s why I think a world war is inevitable in the next 20 years. Unless the US is willing to go down without a fight.
The future looks very bleak for the West. That’s why I think a world war is inevitable in the next 20 years. Unless the US is willing to go down without a fight.
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff