Adamas: Tesla Consumed More Lithium Than Next 4 Brands Combined

Tesla is the largest "consumer" of lithium for EV batteries.

Tesla Model 3

Mark Kane

By: Mark Kane

May 7, 2021 at 9:47am ET

Add InsideEVs as a preferred source in Google

Comment

Tesla was the largest electric car manufacturer in 2020, which directly translates to the level of consumption of key elements for batteries, like lithium (especially that Tesla's EV batteries are usually 50-100 kWh per pack).

According to the latest report from Adamas Intelligence, in 2020 Tesla deployed 18,700 tonnes of Lithium carbonate equivalent (“LCE”) onto roads globally in the batteries of its newly sold passenger EVs.

The company estimates that it's more than the next four brands (BYD, VW, Renault and Audi) combined! Compared to automotive groups, Tesla is ahead of Volkswagen Group and BYD combined.

"In 2020, Tesla deployed 18,700 tonnes of LCE onto roads globally in the batteries of its newly sold passenger EVs, more than the next four EV makers (BYD, VW, Renault and Audi) combined..."

"At the group level (rather than make), Tesla consumed more lithium than the next two groups combined, namely Volkswagen and BYD, respectively."

Tesla LCE usage (in EVs) by models:

Model 3: 67%
Model Y: 17%
Model S/X: 16%

By region it's:

Americas: 47%
Asia Pacific: 34%
Europe: 19%:
elsewhere: less than 1%

Tesla lithium report 20210507 (source: Adamas Intelligence)

What do you think?

View

Comments

In terms of lithium origins, by Q3 2020 Tesla was using batteries produced solely from Lithium Hydroxide, but since Q4 a noticeable part (CATL's LFP batteries) is from Lithium Carbonate. Those are the two most common lithium forms used in battery production.

"Through the first three quarters of 2020, 100% of Tesla’s lithium consumption was in the form of lithium hydroxide.

However, with the release of the made-in-China Model 3 Standard Range powered by LFP cells from CATL in the fourth quarter of 2020, this share dropped to 84%, according to Adamas Intelligence data."

Tesla lithium report 20210507 (source: Adamas Intelligence)