Lithium Demand surge, page-1138

Here's a three'fa to enjoy with your Sunday morning coffee .

Fiat-Chrysler to Invest 10.5 Billion in Electrification Through to 2022. Source: Bloomberg Asia 5/6/2018
Among other models to be electrified their Jeep brand will now offer an electric alternative in every model and diesel Jeeps will be phased out in Europe.
My take on this is that Fiat-Chrysler are following the Mercedes Bends strategy of a conservative approach, offering an electric version in every model to gauge the response by numbers of each sold - winner takes all. And we know which engine that will be .

Maserati's Plans to Speed Past Tesla. Source: Bloomberg 5/6/2018
Its top weapon of choice: the fully electric Alfieri Sports, with a top speed of over 300kmph and an acceleration rate of zero to 100km in 2 seconds. it goes on sale by 2022 along with Maserati's other current SUV electric models like the Levate. They hope to sell 100,000 EVs by 2022.
My take: A very expensive beasts (the Alfieri), given the article states in no uncertain terms that: if you ask about the price, then you can't afford one . But don't let that crush your dream. By the time these babies are on the market (2022) PLS might be $10 per share - in which case you can buy one for yourself, and even let your princess trade up from that cute little electric bike that you convinced her was oh so French chic when you traded it for her ailing 94 VW Golf .

And lastly: In a Single day, the Electric Car Boom Gains Speed in Three (US) States. Source: Bloomberg 5/6/2018
New Jersey's biggest utility owner to spend $800 Million on EV charging stations, and California's utilities to invest a combined $783 Million on projects promoting EVs. And New York's power authority has committed $250 Million on EV charging stations. A total of $1.833 Billion in one day. Transport analysts are calling it a watershed moment for the US electric vehicle market.
My take: With perhaps the exclusion of the Southern States, America is ignoring Trumps coal push. Their utility companies can see what is happening in the EV/battery space and they're investing in the demand with charging stations in a big way. I heard a man once say that "America is not a country - its a business." And where they see a dollar to be made they are quick to cash in. Now, with the utility companies and big oil like Total and Dutch Shell committing Billions into charging stations, world wide, they are setting the foundations by which the EV demand can progress with confidence.

All in all it makes that Sunday morning coffee taste just that little bit better - doesn't it?