Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has indicated the United States needs to source more minerals domestically and from friendly nations in order to meet new demands for electric vehicles (EVs).
The supply chain for minerals used in EV batteries is heavily controlled by China. Buttigieg testified during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday that the Biden administration is working to upend China’s dominance in the mineral trade.
During an exchange at the hearing, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) said China controls, “either directly or indirectly,” more than 62 percent of the critical minerals needed for EV batteries.
“A condition we’re working hard to change in this administration,” Buttigieg replied….