China’s Lithium Refining Chokepoint Anchors Its EV Supply-Chain Advantage
According to the source, China’s strategic leverage in EVs stems less from lithium mining and more from dominating the conversion of raw lithium into battery-grade chemicals, a cost- and reliability-defining chokepoint. US and European localisation efforts are advancing, but analysts cited suggest meaningful displacement of China’s refining ecosystem is more likely in the late 2020s to 2030s amid ramp-up, qualification, and financing constraints.