The Prius has NiMh batteries & not Lythium so current Prius' batteries are not relevant to GXY or the demand/price of Lythium.
Plug-in full electric cars such as the Chev. Volt or the Nissan Leaf use Lythium batteries and their success in the car market will greatly impact on the market price of Lythium. The average electric car will use 15 kgs of hi-grade lythium. Ir Obama's forecast of 1 mil electric cars on US roads by 2016 is correct this will mean an extra 3000 tons of Lythium annually.
Given that the USA has about 20% of world market of cars, one can reasonably multiply the additional 3000 tons by 5 Thats an extra 15000 tons p/a
The last figures available for lythium is 2008, which was a worldwide production of 100,000 tons.
As the world market generally picks up one can reasonably assume that growth in demand for Lythium (excluding Electric plug-in cars) will grow by at least 3% p/a. These uses include computers/phones , electric tools, aluminium & pharmaceuticals
So in summary, unless significantly more Lythium producers come on stream within the next year or so, there will likely be upward price pressure on Lythium.
Are there any reasonable comments on the Lythium market by "non Hybrids"? Cheers Moorookamick
Cheers
GXY Price at posting:
55.3¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
