Tesla Breaks Ground on Lithium Processing Center in Texas
2023-05-13
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1American electric carmaker Tesla has broken ground on a new lithium processing center it says will support the production of up to 1 million vehicles by 2025.
2When completed, the factory in the state of Texas will be the largest lithium processor in North America, Reuters news agency reported.
3The operation will push Tesla outside its main business of manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs). Lithium-based batteries are used to power most EVs.
4Tesla chief Elon Musk said at a recent ground-breaking ceremony the processing center will be required for the company to reach its EV sales targets.
5He explained that in just a few years, lithium supplies worldwide are expected to face major shortages.
6Musk said Tesla aims to complete construction of the factory next year.
7It is expected to reach full production about one year later.
8The move will make Tesla the only major automaker in North America to refine its own lithium.
9Currently, China is the biggest processor of many in-demand minerals, including lithium.
10Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended the ceremony.
11He said, "Texas wants to be able to be self-reliant, not dependent upon any foreign hostile nation for what we need. We need lithium."
12Musk did not give an exact estimate for how much lithium the factory would process each year.
13But he did say Tesla would continue to buy lithium from two U.S.-based companies it currently uses, Albemarle and Livent.
14"So it's not that Tesla will do all of it," Musk noted.
15Albemarle plans to build a lithium processing center in South Carolina that will aim to refine 100,000 tons of the substance each year.
16Building on that project is expected to begin next year.
17Musk did not say where Tesla will get the unprocessed lithium, which is known as spodumene concentrate.
18Currently, the company has supply deals with North Carolina-based Piedmont Lithium and others.
19Tesla said it will avoid the lithium industry's traditional refining process, which depends on sulfuric acid and other strong chemicals.
20Instead, the company said it plans to use materials that cause less environmental harm, such as soda ash.
21"You could live right in the middle of the refinery and not suffer any ill effect," Musk said.
22"So they're very clean operations." Local media reported, however, that some environmental activists had raised concerns over the processing center.
23I'm Bryan Lynn.
1American electric carmaker Tesla has broken ground on a new lithium processing center it says will support the production of up to 1 million vehicles by 2025. 2When completed, the factory in the state of Texas will be the largest lithium processor in North America, Reuters news agency reported. The operation will push Tesla outside its main business of manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs). Lithium-based batteries are used to power most EVs. 3Tesla chief Elon Musk said at a recent ground-breaking ceremony the processing center will be required for the company to reach its EV sales targets. He explained that in just a few years, lithium supplies worldwide are expected to face major shortages. 4Musk said Tesla aims to complete construction of the factory next year. It is expected to reach full production about one year later. 5The move will make Tesla the only major automaker in North America to refine its own lithium. Currently, China is the biggest processor of many in-demand minerals, including lithium. 6Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended the ceremony. He said, "Texas wants to be able to be self-reliant, not dependent upon any foreign hostile nation for what we need. We need lithium." 7Musk did not give an exact estimate for how much lithium the factory would process each year. But he did say Tesla would continue to buy lithium from two U.S.-based companies it currently uses, Albemarle and Livent. "So it's not that Tesla will do all of it," Musk noted. 8Albemarle plans to build a lithium processing center in South Carolina that will aim to refine 100,000 tons of the substance each year. Building on that project is expected to begin next year. 9Musk did not say where Tesla will get the unprocessed lithium, which is known as spodumene concentrate. Currently, the company has supply deals with North Carolina-based Piedmont Lithium and others. 10Tesla said it will avoid the lithium industry's traditional refining process, which depends on sulfuric acid and other strong chemicals. Instead, the company said it plans to use materials that cause less environmental harm, such as soda ash. 11"You could live right in the middle of the refinery and not suffer any ill effect," Musk said. "So they're very clean operations." Local media reported, however, that some environmental activists had raised concerns over the processing center. 12I'm Bryan Lynn. 13Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 14_______________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16battery - n. a device placed inside a machine to supply it with electricity 17refine - v. make a substance pure by removing other substances from it 18self-reliant - adj. able to do things alone and not depend on other people or things 19ill - adj. a way that is bad or not suitable 20__________________________________________________________________ 21What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 22Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.