Lithium-ion batteries

Commentary: 'Nothing but sophistry and illusion” with regard to lithium and the electric-car promise

By Jack Lifton
19 Apr 2009 at 12:23 AM GMT-04:00

Lithium-ion batteries promise freedom from fossil fuels, but in many ways the numbers don't back up the hopes and assumptions.

This article is a cautionary tale for those who would rush into lithium investments for the long term. As I have written before, and will do so again, investing in lithium mining, refining and battery development (for personal passenger carrying vehicles) is just a timing game based on announcements made to advertise government and industry moves, so as to get public approval for speculating with some people’s or everyone else’s money. Buy low, either after the announcement of a setback in development or delivery time, and sell high, after the announcement of an investment by someone, famously mostly right, (e.g., Warren Buffet) or after an announcement that the U.S. government will subsidize a technology or a factory. Of course, some announcements target specific battery developers and some are more general. I call these tips and trends, so that they fit into the categories of advice we get daily on television and in the newsletters and main stream press."

Resource Investor - Commentary: "Nothing but sophistry and illusion” with regard to lithium and the electric-car promise