Lithium Approaches 1-Year High

2025-11-12 13:12 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

Lithium carbonate futures were over CNY 83,000 per tonne in November, the highest since the one-year high of CNY 85,680 in August, amid signs of stronger demand for batteries and power infrastructure.

China signaled its latest support to the electric vehicle industry and lithium-rich energy storage systems with compensation mechanisms for power storage infrastructure, doubling EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027.

Also, output of new energy vehicles in China rose by 33.1% in the first ten months of the year, with October sales reflecting 51.6% of the market share, the first majority for new energy vehicles on record.

On the supply front, markets continued to assess the magnitude of intervention that Beijing will enforce due to its anti-involution initiative.

Chinese authorities approved reportedly approved reserve reports for the restart of activity in CATL's Jiangxi mine following its brief suspension, enabling activity in the mine responsible for 3% of global supply.



News Stream
Lithium Rises to Near 3-Year High
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Lithium Rises 50% YTD
Lithium carbonate prices in China surpassed CNY 175,000 per tonne in May, gaining 50% this year toward to approach the highest level since 2023 amid growing long-term demand. The surge in crude oil and product prices since the start of March supported the outlook for larger economies to favor new energy vehicles, which use batteries that take lithium as a major input. Likewise, BYD forecasted it will sell 1.5 million units overseas this year, revised higher from the January estimate of 1.3 million units. Demand also remained supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027. Fresh buying is also featured from data center operators, whose power storage systems require more lithium than those used by EVs, on the historical capital investments by AI companies and hardware producers.
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Lithium Rises to 3-Month High
Lithium carbonate prices in China rose to CNY 175,000 per tonne in late April, the highest in three months and nearly 50% up year-to-date amid evidence of growing long-term demand. The surge in crude oil and product prices since the start of March supported the outlook for larger economies to favor new energy vehicles, which use batteries that take lithium as a major input. Likewise, BYD forecasted it will sell 1.5 million units overseas this year, revised higher from the January estimate of 1.3 million units. Demand also remained supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027. Fresh buying is also featured from data center operators, whose power storage systems require more lithium than those used by EVs, on the historical capital investments by AI companies and hardware producers.
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