A coalition of European clean technology and transport organizations is calling on EU policymakers to establish dedicated measures for scaling battery recycling in the upcoming Circular Economy Act. The groups stress that recovering materials from retired electric vehicle packs is vital for securing critical minerals locally and mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities. Without strategic regulatory and financial support, Europe risks falling behind in building the processing capacity needed for an influx of end-of-life batteries.
October 29, 2026·CleanTechnica·Transport & Environment
General Motors is expanding efforts to reclaim critical minerals from end-of-life battery packs to feed into production of new electric vehicles. By recycling raw materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, the automaker aims to lower production costs and reduce reliance on virgin mining. The initiative forms a key part of GM's strategy to build a sustainable, domestic battery supply chain in North America.
Leading European industry associations, T&E, European Metals, and RECHARGE, are pressing EU lawmakers to integrate key primary and recycled battery materials, alongside critical midstream components, into the forthcoming Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). Their joint appeal aims to bolster the continent's domestic battery supply chain, reducing reliance on external sources. This move is crucial for scaling up EV production and ensuring the availability of essential battery ingredients within the EU.
The U.S. government is bolstering its critical minerals supply chain by supporting an Australian rare earth mining company. This strategic move aims to reduce reliance on China for essential materials used in EV batteries and motors, particularly those sourced from the Lynas mine in Western Australia. The investment underscores a broader effort to secure the raw materials necessary for the burgeoning electric vehicle industry's growth.
In a move to bolster its domestic supply chain for electric vehicle batteries and reduce reliance on foreign entities, the U.S. Commerce Department has imposed new restrictions on the export of certain used critical minerals. This policy aims to ensure that valuable materials from recycled batteries remain within the country for future EV production.
The European Union's Circular Economy Act seeks to enhance the region's recycling capabilities, particularly for end-of-life EV batteries. By recovering essential materials from used products, Europe aims to secure a sustainable and resilient supply of critical minerals vital for its electric vehicle industry.
China's substantial control over critical minerals essential for electric vehicle battery production, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, could significantly impact global inflation. This concentrated supply chain creates vulnerabilities that could drive up costs through geopolitical tensions or disruptions. As the world shifts towards electrification, the pricing and availability of these materials are increasingly critical.
The Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, spearheaded by the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), has been awarded up to $160 million by the US National Science Foundation. This significant funding aims to establish a regional ecosystem in the U.S. for producing essential metals and advanced materials crucial for electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors, and other high-tech applications. The initiative seeks to reduce the nation's reliance on imported critical minerals for EV manufacturing.
July 22, 2026·Charged EVs·National Science Foundation
India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is aggressively seeking new sources for critical minerals and uranium both domestically and internationally. This strategic push is essential for the nation's energy independence and to meet the growing demands of its electric vehicle industry, which relies heavily on these materials for battery production.
The United States is actively seeking to shore up its domestic critical mineral supply, essential for EV battery production, amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties. A recent forum convened industry leaders, academics, and government officials to strategize on boosting domestic mining, processing, and recycling capabilities. This collaborative effort aims to reduce reliance on foreign sources and establish a more resilient supply chain for the nation's electric vehicle future.
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) has signed new agreements with the State of Alaska and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. These partnerships aim to advance research and development in critical minerals and energy technologies crucial for the burgeoning EV battery industry. The focus will be on leveraging Alaska's natural resources to support domestic supply chains for EV manufacturing.
July 17, 2026·CleanTechnica·National Laboratory of the Rockies
A new report from the National Laboratory Roundtable (NLR) highlights essential strategies to secure North America's critical mineral supply chains, crucial for both electric vehicle batteries and grid infrastructure. The report emphasizes the interconnectedness of these sectors from raw material extraction to final energy delivery. By focusing on domestic sourcing and advanced processing, NLR aims to reduce reliance on foreign entities and bolster energy independence.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a warning that China's increasing restrictions on rare earth exports could jeopardize $6.5 trillion worth of Western industries, including critical EV battery and motor manufacturing. These curbs underline growing concerns about the global supply chain's over-reliance on China for essential minerals needed in the energy transition.
Critical materials producer Energy Fuels is set to acquire Vacuumschmelze (VAC), a leading rare earth magnet maker, in a $1.9 billion deal. This strategic acquisition aims to establish a fully integrated "mine-to-magnet" supply chain across North America, from raw material extraction to finished product. The move is poised to bolster domestic production of essential components for electric vehicle motors and other advanced technologies.
China is leveraging its dominant position in the processing and supply of critical minerals to shape international green energy and EV development. This strategic control presents a significant challenge for nations seeking to secure their own mineral supplies and reduce reliance on a single source.
Rare earth minerals, crucial for EV motors and other high-tech applications, extracted from a U.S. mine are currently being shipped to Asia for processing. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in establishing a fully domestic supply chain for these critical materials, despite efforts to reduce reliance on foreign processing capabilities.
A new update from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights the severe risks of deep-sea mining to unique mollusk species living near hydrothermal vents. Over half of these specialized creatures, which have adapted to extreme seafloor environments, could face extinction if mineral extraction proceeds. This warning underscores the ecological consequences of pursuing new sources for materials, some of which are critical for EV batteries.
A historic tungsten mine in South Korea is being revitalized, promising to provide a significant non-Chinese source of this critical mineral. Tungsten is essential for various high-tech industries, including EV battery manufacturing and advanced electronics. This initiative seeks to reduce reliance on China and secure a more stable supply chain for the United States and its allies.
An attack in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, has raised concerns about global shipping disruption. This incident underscores the fragility of international trade routes, which could have ripple effects on the EV industry's complex supply chains for critical minerals and components.
