In the field of electric cars and related developments, China seems to be the leading player. In the United States there are even rumors that America is about 10 to 20 years behind in the field of battery development.
The tide is increasingly turning in the automotive world. While most leading brands used to be of Western origin, Asian brands have caught up. Chinese car manufacturers in particular are claiming an increasingly important role worldwide.
In the United States, two senators have sounded the alarm on the basis of a damning report, the news agency reports Reuters. According to this report, the battery industry in the US is hopelessly behind the times and explains in detail where the problem is.
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China controls raw materials
China produces no less than 75 percent of all battery packs worldwide. The United States, on the other hand, did not get further than just under 10 percent. According to the report, this can be explained by the fact that China currently holds between 60 and 100 percent of the 5 crucial raw materials for battery packs.
This means that producers from other countries will have to turn to China before they can produce batteries. This could become very problematic if the Asian country decides to restrict the export of raw materials. China has recently done this with graphite, which is one of the most important raw materials for making anodes in batteries.
Intervene
According to the report, the situation is worrying and action must be taken as soon as possible. Especially if the demand for electric cars in 2035 will indeed be seven times greater in 2035 than it is now.
One of the measures that the United States is currently taking against the threatened Chinese dominance of the car market is increasing import duties. For example, there will be an import tax of 25 percent on Chinese cars, while the regular rate is 2.5 percent.
Another possibility, according to the report, is the development of a different chemical composition of battery packs. As a result, fewer raw materials that China has in its hands will be needed, so that the power position of the Chinese will become less great.