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China’s control over a crucial battery material will make it nearly impossible for any electric-vehicle makers to qualify for Biden's subsidy scheme, South Korea has warned. (www.ft.com)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 months ago (3 children)

But Chinese companies control more than 99 per of the global market for battery-grade graphite and 69 per cent of the market for synthetic graphite used in battery anodes, according to consultancy Benchmark Minerals Intelligence.

Without an exemption to the FEOC rules for battery makers to secure graphite from Chinese suppliers, it is possible that no vehicles will qualify for the generous tax credits that the Biden administration is offering EV buyers, Ahn Duk-geun, South Korea’s minister of trade, industry and energy, told the Financial Tim

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

I thought this was going to be about rare earth metals. Fucking graphite?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 6 months ago

Sounds like a good way for them to say "sorry, we told you electric cars just can't work!"

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Isnt that a good thing though ? Encourage munfactoring these components in the US and reduce reliance on China?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Yup, this was probably anticipated. Throw some subsidies out there, but ensure that they have to include the full supply chain. Anything less leaves the US just as vulnerable as it was before.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

And if you need synthetic graphite, it sounds like this is something that can be produced rather than mined, making this more a production issue.

Sounds like rubber.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

A lot of things are production issues rather than technology issues: semiconductors, cars, artillery shells... IBM had a 2nm chip in 2021. Trevithick had an automotive in 1801.

Doesn't mean it's easy.