Hi,Just posted this on another WC8 Thread from...

Hi,

Just posted this on another WC8 Thread from Twitter

https://x.com/EVCurveFuturist/status/1834430337335832784

If the CATL Jiangxi closure doesn’t shift the lithium trajectory, nothing will. Lepidolite’s out, & the market needs to pivot to high-quality hard rock fast. With BEVs now averaging 65kWh & ESS demand set to double, it’s a critical moment in the energy transition. #Lithium#EVsIf the Jiangxi closure doesn’t shift the lithium trajectory, then nothing will.
CATL shutting down lithium production in Jiangxi, due to the high costs and low quality of lepidolite, is a massive flashing red signal for the market. Lepidolite is expensive and inefficient to process (not to mention dirty and non ESG compliant) compared to spodumene, which is why the focus must now shift to higher-quality, lower-cost hard rock lithium sources.
I'll say it again, if this doesn’t drive a course correction, I’ll eat my Tesla.
The math is simple: lithium demand is accelerating, not slowing down. Average battery sizes have jumped significantly. BEVs, which used to average 50 kWh, are now sitting at 63-65 kWh, and PHEVs are following suit, with batteries climbing to 23-35 kWh.
On top of that, ESS demand is set to double due to record-breaking global solar deployments. If the market fails to recognize the mismatch between lithium supply and skyrocketing demand from both the EV and ESS sectors, it’s game over.
But this isn’t just a market trend—it’s a necessity. The shift to higher-quality spodumene must happen, and it must happen now. If not, it’ll be like missing the biggest wake-up call in the lithium market’s history. With such dramatic moves in demand and no supply shift in response, we’re staring down a critical juncture, and it’s hard to see what could change the game if this doesn’t.
In close, it’s not just the lithium market at stake—it’s the future of clean energy infrastructure.