The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the results the most comprehensive analysis to date quantifying the domestic lithium resources in California’s Salton Sea region. It found the region’s total resources could produce more than 3,400 kilotons of lithium, enough to support over 375 million batteries for electric vehicles — more than the total number of vehicles currently on U.S. roads.
“Lithium is vital to decarbonizing the economy and meeting President Biden’s goals of 50% electric vehicle adoption by 2030,” says Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “This report confirms the once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a domestic lithium industry at home while also expanding clean, flexible electricity generation. Using American innovation, we can lead the clean energy future, create jobs and a strong domestic supply chain, and boost our national energy security.”