BHP’s Australian nickel to power Tesla electric vehicles
Top Australian miner BHP has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s Tesla, the world’s biggest electric car maker, to supply the nickel needed in its batteries.
Following months of talks, Tesla has agreed to source the key electric battery material from BHP’s Nickel West mining, smelting and refining operations in Western Australia, the companies said on Thursday.
“Demand for nickel in batteries is estimated to grow by over 500 per cent over the next decade, in large part to support the world’s rising demand for electric vehicles,” BHP chief commercial officer Vandita Pant said.