Is lithium the new oil ? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Cd · 01-10-2010, 07:35 PM

With the demand for lithium rising with each day, it seems as if oil will be displaced some by lithium in the next few decades.
I'd like to invest some in lithium, but can see how that this could be the same as investing in an oil company. ( meaning not socially responsible )
The only lithium benefit over oil is the end product which is less damaging to the environment.

What are your thoughts ?

thatguitarguy · 01-10-2010, 07:46 PM

I hope that lithium is more eco-responsible. It does have to be mined, but then after it's intended use it can hopefully be recycled and reused. Oil is just consumed. It's burned and spewed into the atmosphere.

bgd73 · 01-10-2010, 10:49 PM

I would hope it goes to IC cars as batteries, and wahtever. My ever so "dainty" computing experience of 12 years has proven the lithium long run over alkaline to be quite decent, my cameras etc.

As electric cars, I could care less. I hope it has a use.

I did just read it would only take 90,000 tonnes to make enough for 60 million cars, as the hybrids are now, and it comes from south america mostly. Havadit. Somebody can use it.

NeilBlanchard · 01-10-2010, 11:36 PM

It can absolutely be reused/recycled. Worn out lithium batteries are worth a fair bit of money.

alohaspirit · 01-11-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Worn out lithium batteries are worth a fair bit of money.

my AA batteries just went out on my camera and mouse

ebay?

jamesqf · 01-11-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgd73

...it comes from south america mostly.

There are other mining operations, including one not that far from me (Silver Peak), and quite a number of other deposits that could be mined if the demand was high enough.

Ryland · 01-11-2010, 08:41 PM

All batteries can and should be recycled, from what I understand lead acid have the least amount of waste in their recycling with around 99% of the battery being able to be recycled in to a new battery, anyone know how lithium batteries compare? how about energy input for the recycling?
I'm sure it's going to be kind of like the mercury in CLF light bulbs (easy to recycled) being less then the mercury being spewed in to our air > water > fish by power plants trying to produce the power for less efficient bulbs and how one is a waste that is just wasted and slowly kills us and the other looks bad but is much less bad.

tasdrouille · 01-12-2010, 07:08 AM

If you don't invest in resources, the profit will just go to someone else. I'd rather see an environmentally concious folk get the dough than any random white collar crook. When it comes to business, you only get to talk if you put your money where your mouth is (sounds like an oxymoron but anyway...) If enough eco type people invest, the way companies do business can eventually change. The resources are going to be exploited anyway. Plus you can always donate part of the proceeds to environmental non-profits.