The Thacker Pass Lithium Mine project in Nevada, which was permitted in 2018, is expected to produce 60,000 tons of lithium chemicals a year by 2025, about 9% of expected global demand by one estimate. However, local opposition to the project highlights the challenge of bringing new mines online while limiting pollution, reducing other environmental impacts, and generating buy-in from local communities. While EVs produce far less in greenhouse gas emissions over their lifecycle than gas vehicles even when accounting for mining, refining, and manufacturing, these processes do require significant emissions and pose risks such as potential biodiversity loss, water pollution, and air pollution. However, other innovative mining projects, such as those at the Salton Sea in southern California, are showing early promise for greener mining with robust community support.Honda and LG Energy made a $4.4 billion investment to build a battery plant in the U.S. with mass-production capability projected by 2025. Toyota also announced a $3.8 billion investment to build a battery plant in North Carolina.
