Interesting article, tight supply options for OEMs is very real.

General Motors strikes a deal to source lithium in the US for its electric car batteries

Its risky bet because there is no full-scale lithium production in the US.

THE RACE TO FIND NEW AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SOURCES OF LITHIUM IN CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN CALLED A “WHITE GOLD RUSH”

This rising demand has also triggered concerns about shortages, with analysts forecasting deficits in the tens of thousands of tons by 2022.

“I’d say the main concerns around lithium extraction from geothermal brines are mostly economic,” said Chris Berry, president of House Mountain Partners and an analyst who focuses on energy metals supply chains. “Investors want to see proven economics before writing big checks to develop projects and battery manufacturers want to see proof of scalable production of battery grade lithium before entering into binding off-take agreements.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2021/7/2/22559718/gm-lithium-ctr-ev-battery-investment-salton-sea