The Electric by Steve LeVine — The Information

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The Electric

By Steve LeVine

The Electric is a publication from Steve LeVine and The Information focused on crucial industries for the energy transition, including next-generation batteries, electric vehicles and autonomous driving. The newsletter is only for subscribers of The Information.

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Recent Editions

A lithium pile at Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora mine in Port Hedland, Australia. Photo: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

The Electric: Biden Administration Favors Making More Nations Eligible for U.S. Battery Subsidies

By Steve LeVine · Jan 11, 2023 5:00am PST

The landmark climate bill signed into law in August offered tens of billions of dollars in subsidies for electric vehicles whose batteries contain materials from the U.S. or countries with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement. That excluded many of the most ore-rich countries of the world, and the Biden administration has been seeking a way... The landmark climate bill signed into law in August offered tens of billions of dollars in...

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, with the concept electric Ram Revolution. Photo: Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg

The Electric: EV Makers Brag About Next-Gen Batteries, but They Won’t Be Ready Soon

By Steve LeVine · Jan 8, 2023 2:00pm PST

Late to the electric vehicle race, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares bounded onstage Thursday at the Consumer Electronics Show, the biggest tech event of the year, and boasted: In 2026, he said, Stellantis would produce a sleek new electric version of the popular Ram pickup truck. Among other bells and whistles, a breakthrough solid-state... Late to the electric vehicle race, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares bounded onstage Thursday at the...

T.J. Rodgers, executive chair of Enovix, at the company's Fremont, CA. headquarters. Photo: Courtesy Enovix

The Electric: Enovix Chair Tries to Calm Investors, But Company’s Stock Tanks

By Steve LeVine · Jan 4, 2023 1:09pm PST

T.J. Rodgers, executive chair of silicon battery developer Enovix, on Tuesday set out to reassure investors that the company had a path to scale up its promising technology. It didn’t work. On Wednesday, Enovix shares fell roughly 45% to an all-time low of $6.50 before recovering slightly later in the day. In all, shares have declined about 80%... T.J. Rodgers, executive chair of silicon battery developer Enovix, on Tuesday set out to reassure...

The Electric Quarterly: In 2022, the U.S. Raced Into the Battery Game, but Dark Clouds Loom Ahead

The Electric Quarterly: In 2022, the U.S. Raced Into the Battery Game, but Dark Clouds Loom Ahead

By Steve LeVine · Jan 1, 2023 2:00pm PST

The Electric Quarterly: In 2022, the U.S. Raced Into the Battery Game, but Dark Clouds Loom Ahead

The Electric Quarterly: In 2022, the U.S. Raced Into the Battery Game, but Dark Clouds Loom Ahead

By Steve LeVine · Jan 1, 2023 2:00pm PST

At the start of 2022, China was the clear global leader in producing electric vehicles and batteries and processing the minerals that make them work. The U.S., by contrast, had plans for few battery factories and virtually no factories to process the necessary raw materials. A year later, the rest of the world is scrambling to respond to an... At the start of 2022, China was the clear global leader in producing electric vehicles and...

Nickel cores drilled by Talon Metals at the Tamarack Mine in Minnesota. Photo: Courtesy Talon Metals

The Electric: Struggling to Grasp Batteries, U.S. Officials Delay EV Rebate Rules

By Steve LeVine · Dec 20, 2022 3:30am PST

After scrambling for four months to get up to speed on the innards of electric vehicle batteries, U.S. officials on Monday said they will miss a Dec. 31 deadline to issue much-awaited rules governing a new $7,500 consumer tax rebate for EV purchases. Instead, they will release only the “anticipated direction” of the rules by the end of the... After scrambling for four months to get up to speed on the innards of electric vehicle batteries,...

Piedmont Lithium has riled up local opposition to its mining plans. Photo: Courtesy Stop Piedmont Lithium

The Electric: Will Americans Embrace Dirty Plants Making Clean Technologies?

By Steve LeVine · Dec 18, 2022 2:00pm PST

The U.S. has made a $250 billion bet that it can build a world-class battery industry, and puncture China's domination of the technology. But to get there, the country must reverse decades-old local opposition in the country to mining and heavy industry. This week, we look at Piedmont Lithium, a poster child for how not to win over local... The U.S. has made a $250 billion bet that it can build a world-class battery industry, and...

Albemarle received a $149.6 million grant under this year's infrastructure law to develop a lithium processing plant at Kings Mountain, N.C. Photo: Courtesy Albemarle

The Electric: Introducing the Battery Triumvirate, the Most Powerful Washington Hands You Don’t Know

By Steve LeVine · Dec 11, 2022 2:00pm PST

The Biden administration has embarked on the largest industrial buildout since World War II—more than $250 billion to create a battery industry. But who’s in charge of disbursing all that money? This week, we look at the battery triumvirate, three men—two of them little known outside renewable energy—stewarding one of the most important... The Biden administration has embarked on the largest industrial buildout since World War II—more...

Copper, necessary in electric vehicle batteries, ready for export in Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose supply is dominated by Chinese companies. Photo: Lucien Kahozi/Bloomberg

The Electric: U.S. Officials Leave a Door Ajar for Chinese Battery Companies in the U.S.

By Steve LeVine · Dec 6, 2022 3:30am PST

Copper, necessary in electric vehicle batteries, ready for export in Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose supply is dominated by Chinese companies. Photo: Lucien Kahozi/Bloomberg

The Electric: U.S. Officials Leave a Door Ajar for Chinese Battery Companies in the U.S.

By Steve LeVine · Dec 6, 2022 3:30am PST

Leading U.S. officials appear open to allowing some Chinese companies to receive U.S. tax credits and other incentives approved by Congress to encourage the creation of a U.S.-led battery supply chain independent from China.The question of Chinese eligibility for the approximately $250 billion in incentives that take effect next year is a... Leading U.S. officials appear open to allowing some Chinese companies to receive U.S. tax credits...

Three years late, Tesla CEO Elon Musk delivered the company's first Semi big rig truck. (Photo: Courtesy Tesla)

The Electric: Tesla Has Delivered Its First Electric Big Rig. Now Comes the Hard Part

By Steve LeVine · Dec 4, 2022 2:00pm PST

Three years after he promised to deliver the Tesla Semi, Elon Musk last week finally handed over five of the big rigs to PepsiCo. Musk is promising to follow those with the production of 50,000 Semis in 2024. This week, we look at why he will get nowhere near that production number this decade.In 2017, Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla... Three years after he promised to deliver the Tesla Semi, Elon Musk last week finally handed over...

Solid Power's early solid state lithium metal cells. Photo: Courtesy Solid Power

The Electric: A Next-Gen Battery Maker Stumbles and Replaces Its CEO

By Steve LeVine · Nov 30, 2022 3:58pm PST

The share price of solid state battery manufacturer Solid Power fell 14% on Wednesday after the surprise resignation of co-founder and CEO Doug Campbell. Campbell’s exit comes 18 months after the startup abruptly shifted from its original lithium-metal technology to a silicon-based battery, an easier material to develop.The Colorado-based... The share price of solid state battery manufacturer Solid Power fell 14% on Wednesday after the...

Joby Aviation is likely to have the first certified electric flying taxi in the U.S. Photo: Courtesy Joby

The Electric: One Step Forward for Air Taxis, but a Long Road Ahead

By Steve LeVine · Nov 27, 2022 2:00pm PST

This Thursday: The U.S. is putting down hundreds of billions of dollars on one of the biggest technological bets in the world—that it can establish its own battery industry, and halt its dependence on China. To hear the inside story of how the U.S. is doling out the money, I'm excited to host Jigar Shah, director of the $250 billion... This Thursday: The U.S. is putting down hundreds of billions of dollars on one of the biggest...

Qichao Hu, CEO of Boston-based next-generation battery developer SES, which is in the race to qualify for lucrative U.S. tax credits. Photo: Courtesy SES

The Electric: The Climate Law Triggers a Race Among Next-Gen Battery Makers

By Steve LeVine · Nov 20, 2022 2:00pm PST

Qichao Hu, CEO of Boston-based next-generation battery developer SES, which is in the race to qualify for lucrative U.S. tax credits. Photo: Courtesy SES

The Electric: The Climate Law Triggers a Race Among Next-Gen Battery Makers

By Steve LeVine · Nov 20, 2022 2:00pm PST

Save the date: The Biden administration, armed with $125 billion in loans, grants and tax credits, is trying to nudge American entrepreneurs into creating a U.S. battery supply chain and reviving the nation as an industrial powerhouse. How is that going—and what exactly does the U.S. battery master plan look like? To discuss and get your... Save the date: The Biden administration, armed with $125 billion in loans, grants and tax...

VW will continue to produce the electric Porsche Taycan, but may no longer make it a goal to overtake Tesla. Photo: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

The Electric: Volkswagen Suggests It Is No Longer Pursuing Tesla

By Steve LeVine · Nov 17, 2022 1:56pm PST

Volkswagen may be acknowledging what no other major automaker has done so far—that it stands little chance of catching up to Tesla anytime soon.Most of the auto industry continues to barrel forward with headlong construction of electric vehicle and battery plants, often in the name of competing with Tesla. But in reports Thursday, VW was said to... Volkswagen may be acknowledging what no other major automaker has done so far—that it stands...

The Electric: The Proposed Gigafactories That Will Be Built—and Those That Won't

The Electric: The Proposed Gigafactories That Will Be Built—and Those That Won't

By Steve LeVine · Nov 13, 2022 2:00pm PST

For two or so years, there seems hardly to have been a week without the announcement of another new gigafactory somewhere. If they are all built, they will number at least in the hundreds. But that's a big "if." This week, we dive into the dozens of gigafactories proposed in the U.S. and Europe, and assess which will probably make it, and... For two or so years, there seems hardly to have been a week without the announcement of another...

Will lithium from Australia's Greenbushes, the world's largest lithium mine, qualify for U.S. tax credits even though it's 51% owned by China's Tianqi Lithium and just 49% by U.S.-based Albemarle? Photo: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

The Electric: Biden Seems Likely to Try to Thwart Chinese Battery Factories in the U.S.

By Steve LeVine · Nov 6, 2022 2:00pm PST

The U.S. badly wants an electric vehicle battery industry, and it hopes that the tens of billions of dollars contained in the Inflation Reduction Act get it there. This week we look at the difficult policy choices ahead for the Biden Administration: China holds much of the world's battery-making know-how, but many U.S. officials are hostile to... The U.S. badly wants an electric vehicle battery industry, and it hopes that the tens of billions...

To make green hydrogen, electricity is applied to water in an electrolyzer. Photo: Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg

The Electric: Hydrogen Is Again Confounding the Dreams of Its Promoters

By Steve LeVine · Oct 30, 2022 2:00pm PDT

To make green hydrogen, electricity is applied to water in an electrolyzer. Photo: Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg

The Electric: Hydrogen Is Again Confounding the Dreams of Its Promoters

By Steve LeVine · Oct 30, 2022 2:00pm PDT

This Tuesday: The global lithium shortage stands to severely stunt the production of electric vehicles through the end of the decade. To discuss how the industry is responding—and China's dominance of the supply chain—I'm excited to host Eric Norris, president for lithium at Albemarle, the world's largest lithium producer, for the next Live Chat... This Tuesday: The global lithium shortage stands to severely stunt the production of electric...

Biden announces the initial grants from the $135 billion pot to build a U.S. battery supply chain. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg

The Electric: How the Biden Administration Should Interpret the New Battery Law

By Steve LeVine · Oct 23, 2022 2:00pm PDT

Save the date: Automakers face a massive shortage of lithium this decade, hobbling their plans to produce millions of electric vehicles. To discuss how the lithium mining industry is responding, I'm excited to host Eric Norris, president of lithium at Albemarle, the world's largest lithium producer, for the next Live Chat With The Electric... Save the date: Automakers face a massive shortage of lithium this decade, hobbling their...

At Silver Peak, concentrated lithium turns the last in a string of ponds an eerie blue. Photo: The Electric

The Electric: In Remote Nevada, Evidence of the Decade’s Lithium Shortage

By Steve LeVine · Oct 16, 2022 2:00pm PDT

Save the date: The world is in a lithium shortage, and looks likely to remain so for at least the remainder of the decade. This is bad news for those hoping for a fast and massive shift to electric vehicles. To plumb why the industry hasn't managed to move more rapidly, and what it can do to turn things around, I'm delighted to host Eric Norris,... Save the date: The world is in a lithium shortage, and looks likely to remain so for at least the...

Headquarters of Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd., poised to remain the world's largest battery producer through the 2020s, in Ningde, China. Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

The Electric: The U.S. Is Ramping Up. China Is Ramping Up Faster

By Steve LeVine · Oct 9, 2022 2:00pm PDT

In recent months, the U.S. and Europe have taken enormous steps to eliminate China's near-monopoly on lithium-ion batteries, the strategic heart of electric vehicles, as the industry begins to take off. But this week we look at the reality that China's dominance of batteries is likely only to become greater by the end of the decade, and that... In recent months, the U.S. and Europe have taken enormous steps to eliminate China's...

The Electric Quarterly: China Inc. in the U.S.?

The Electric Quarterly: China Inc. in the U.S.?

By Steve LeVine · Oct 2, 2022 2:00pm PDT

The Electric Quarterly: China Inc. in the U.S.?

The Electric Quarterly: China Inc. in the U.S.?

By Steve LeVine · Oct 2, 2022 2:00pm PDT

The Biden Administration has allocated about $100 billion to establish a U.S. battery supply chain and thwart a Chinese stranglehold on the industry. Will the U.S. now allow Chinese companies to open factories in the U.S.? This week, we look at an attempt by Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech to build a gigafactory in a Michigan... The Biden Administration has allocated about $100 billion to establish a U.S. battery supply...