Workers photographed at a lithium mine in Chile on August 24, 2022. Lithium is integral to the batteries that power electric vehicles.
John Moore | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Demand for the critical minerals key to a future centered around low and zero-emission technologies is surging, according to the International Energy Agency, with the energy industry’s ever-growing needs seen as a key driver.
In a new report published Tuesday, the Paris-based organization said the period between 2017 and 2022 saw a “tripling in overall demand for lithium, a 70% jump in demand for cobalt, and a 40% rise in demand for nickel.”
The IEA’s Critical Minerals Market Review said the main factor behind the increase was “demand from the energy sector.”
Investment in the development of critical minerals increased by 30% in 2022, building upon a 20% rise in 2021, the IEA said.
“Companies specialising in lithium development recorded a 50% increase in spending, followed by those focusing on copper and nickel,” it added, noting that firms in China nearly doubled their spending on investment last year.
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In Dec. 2022, the IEA said renewables were on course to overtake coal and become the planet’s biggest source of electricity generation by the middle of this decade.
Such is the role that critical minerals play in the operation of technologies including wind turbines and EVs, the stakes are high.
If all the projects planned for the critical minerals sector come to fruition, there may be enough supply to meet climate pledges announced by governments, the IEA said.
There are challenges ahead, however, with the risk of delays to projects as well as “technology-specific shortfalls” providing “little room for complacency about the adequacy of supply.”
In a sign of the huge task facing the planet, the IEA said more projects would still be required by the end of this decade in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a key goal of the Paris Agreement.
The market size for minerals crucial to the energy transition hit $320 billion in 2022, a doubling across the past five years. Start-ups in the critical minerals sector raised $1.6 billion last year, a record.
The record deployment of technologies like batteries and solar PV was, the IEA said, driving “unprecedented growth in the critical minerals markets.”
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Given their huge importance to low and zero emission technologies — lithium, for example, is integral to the batteries that power EVs — the development of sites that can mine and process critical minerals has a significant geopolitical aspect.
China, for example, leads the extraction of graphite and rare earths and the processing of lithium, according to the IEA’s analysis.
Despite this, the world’s second largest economy is still hugely reliant on another country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for mined cobalt.
Overall, the IEA’s report said there had been limited progress when it came to the diversification of supply sources in the past few years, adding that “the situation has even worsened in some cases.”
Citing its analysis of project pipelines, the IEA said there were signs of a “somewhat improved picture” for mining, but added that refining operations were a different story.
“The majority of planned projects are developed in incumbent regions, with China holding half of planned lithium chemical plants and Indonesia representing nearly 90% of planned nickel refining facilities.”
The sustainability credentials of the entire critical minerals industry needs work, too. The IEA said water withdrawals had nearly doubled between 2018 and 2021, while greenhouse gas emissions were stubbornly high.
“At a pivotal moment for clean energy transitions worldwide, we are encouraged by the rapid growth in the market for critical minerals, which are crucial for the world to achieve its energy and climate goals,” Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, said.
“Even so, major challenges remain,” Birol added. “Much more needs to be done to ensure supply chains for critical minerals are secure and sustainable.”
Subaru today launched its compact AWD SUV at an event in New York City. With 300 miles of range, NACS charge port, a speedy 0-60 time of under 5 seconds, you could say that this is Subaru’s first modern EV, no offense to the rebadged Toyota BZ/Solterra…
The exterior looks a bit like a $100K Lotus Eletre with an off road flair. Uncharted will compete with Volvo’s EX30 Rivian’s R2S and other AWD EVs that might not be as rugged like the VW ID.4, Hyundai Kona and even the Chevy Equinox. Subaru’s lighting signature, shared with the 2026 Solterra and Trailseeker, along with its aggressive, rugged off-road styling will set it apart from the crowd.
It features new 18- or 20-inch wheel designs, as well as a high-contrast, available two-tone roof on Uncharted GT for enhanced curb appeal. At the rear, the sleek combination lamps, black badging, high beltline, and seamless rear design, complemented by a silver-painted lower rear fascia, add to the visual presence of the Uncharted. Low-profile roof rails on all-wheel-drive models add more options for carrying gear.
A NACS charge port with speeds up to 150 kW ensures convenient and fast charging options at more than 15,000 Tesla Supercharger stations nationwide. Even in cold weather conditions, the Uncharted can recharge its battery from 10% to 80% in nearly 30 minutes thanks to an onboard battery preconditioning system. At home, you can charge up to 11KW level 2 charging.
The interior is modern Subaru with rugged textile around a big 14-inch CarPlay/Android Auto screen experience (pictured below). There are 2 wireless phone chargers up front and 2 USB-C chargers in the rear.
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All trim levels of the Subaru Uncharted are equipped with an All-Weather Package, including heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer; power rear gate; interior ambient lighting; and DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System. The Uncharted Sport adds X-MODE® Dual-Mode with Grip Control, heated steering wheel, StarTex® water-repellent upholstery, panoramic view monitor, and more. Uncharted GT will include a panoramic moonroof with motorized shade, 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon® premium audio system, smart rearview mirror, and more.
The Uncharted battery is just under 75kWh, around the same size as a long range Tesla Model Y and it will get close to 300 miles in its FWD model (boo). Uncharted Sport and GT models are equipped with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE, an anticipated range of up to 290 miles, and 338 horsepower which will appeal to more Subaru customers.
Full gallery below:
Electrek’s take
While Subaru maintains its close relationship with Toyota in EVs, and this is a C-HR rebadge, the Uncharted breaks some new ground. I love the NACS port, I love the range and the acceleration. Subaru’s fans might finally have an EV they can upgrade their ICE vehicle for.
That’s one thing that might be concerning for Subaru in the EV age: In ICE vehicles, Subaru makes one of the best, complicated AWD systems. However with EVs, AWD is almost table stakes at this point. Subaru will have to continue to innovate in the off road capable small SUV segment if it hopes to compete with all of the EV encombants. At this point, Subaru is a suspension and branding mod for Toyota.
The Uncharted certainly seems to be a good start.
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Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior speaks during the Pennsylvania Energy And Innovation Summit 2025 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on July 15, 2025
David A. Grogan | CNBC
Solar and wind projects that need federal permitting will face even closer scrutiny by the Trump administration, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum now making the final decision on whether they proceed on U.S.-owned lands.
Burgum will now have “final review” of leases, rights-of-way, construction plans and every other aspect of the Interior Department’s federal permitting process for wind and solar projects, according to an internal memo published by the department on Thursday.
The Interior Department said in a statement that it is “levelling the playing field” for coal and natural gas “after years of assault” by Biden administration. The renewable industry’s main lobby group the American Clean Power Association said the action amounted to politically motivated obstruction.
“The Interior Department adds three new layers of needless process and unprecedented political review to the construction of domestic energy projects,” ACP CEO Jason Grumet said in a statement.
“This isn’t oversight. It’s obstruction that will needlessly harm the fastest growing sources of electric power,” Grumet said.
Interior is adding bureaucracy and red tape that will slow electricity production growth at a time when demand is rising from artificial intelligence data centers, said Stephanie Bosh, a spokesperson at the Solar Energy Industries Association.
“It is deeply unfortunate that this administration’s energy policy continues to favor specific technologies rather than advance true American energy dominance,” Bosh said in a statement.
Interior’s action is the latest blow delivered to the renewable energy industry by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress. President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act terminates key tax incentives that have supported the growth of wind and solar projects in the U.S.
Trump issued an executive order shortly after the legislation passed that called for Interior “to eliminate preferential treatment for wind and solar facilities compared to reliable, dispatchable energy sources,” a reference to coal, natural gas and nuclear power.
About 5% of solar projects and 1% of wind projects are located on federal land, according to ACP.
Lucid Motors’ (LCID) shares soared over 50% after the company secured a multi-hundred-million dollar investment from Uber to deploy robotaxis. So, why did Lucid just announce plans for a reverse stock split?
Why did Lucid announce a reverse stock split?
Lucid and Uber announced a new alliance on Thursday to deploy 20,000 electric robotaxis over the next six years.
The new robotaxi service, set to launch next year, will combine Lucid’s advanced software-defined EV platform with Nuro’s Level 4 self-driving tech.
As part of the new alliance, Uber plans to make “multi-hundred-million-dollar investments” in Lucid and Nuro. The first autonomous prototype is already in operation on a closed track at Nuro’s facility in Las Vegas.
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Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, said, “This investment from Uber further validates Lucid’s fully redundant zonal architecture and highly capable platform as ideal for autonomous vehicles.” Winteroff claimed that the new alliance “is the start of our path to extend our innovation and technology leadership into this multi-trillion-dollar market.”
Lucid Gravity SUV fitted with Nuro’s self-driving tech (Source: Lucid)
The Lucid Gravity boasts an impressive EPA-estimated range of 450 miles. Its electric sedan, the Lucid Air, just broke a Guinness World Record after traveling 749 miles (1,205 km) on a single charge.
Lucid’s partnership with Uber sent share prices surging over 50% during trading hours on Thursday. In a separate filing with the SEC today, Lucid announced plans to initiate a 1-for-10 reverse stock split.
Lucid Air (left) and Gravity (right) Source: Lucid
The split won’t affect shareholder ownership, except in cases where fractional shares are created. In that case, shareholders will receive a cash payment.
Lucid said it believes the reverse stock split “will allow the company’s common stock to be more attractive to a broader range of investors and other market participants.”
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring in Aurora Green (Source: Lucid)
A vote of confidence
During an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday, Winterhoff explained that a portion of the $300 million investment from Uber will be used to develop the self-driving tech with Nuro. Winterhoff added that Lucid’s surging share price was “a vote of confidence.”
According to Winterhoff, the reverse stock split is not due to Lucid’s fear of being delisted, but rather to attract larger investors.
It was also more of a “technical” strategy to reduce volatility and help Lucid participate in the broader stock market.
Lucid Gravity and Air models (Source: Lucid)
Many institutional investors avoid stocks priced below $5 due to the higher risk and price swings. The proposed stock split still requires shareholder approval, which will be voted on at an upcoming special stockholders’ meeting.
After that, Lucid’s Board of Directors will determine whether it’s still in the best interest of the company and its stockholders to proceed.
Lucid’s stock rose over 36% on Thursday, closing at $3.12 per share. Although shares of LCID are up just slightly (+2%), they are now up year-to-date. However, they are still down 18% over the past year and nearly 95% from their all-time high of over $58 a share in February 2021.
Lucid Group (LCID) stock chart July 2024 through July 2025 (Source: TradingView)
Last week, after meeting with Lucid’s CFO, Taoufiq Boussaid, Benchmark analyst Mickey Legg set a target share price of $5.00, which was subsequently raised to $7.00 following the announcement of the Uber partnership.
Legg wrote a note to investors, “After meeting with LCID’s CFO Taoufiq Boussaid on Tuesday and reviewing 2Q production and deliveries, we remain confident in the company’s path to scale.”
Lucid midsize electric SUV teaser image (Source: Lucid)
Lucid delivered a record 3,309 vehicles in Q2, its seventh straight quarter with higher deliveries. The company aims to produce 20,000 vehicles this year, more than double the roughly 9,000 it made in 2024.
After ending the first quarter with $5.76 billion in liquidity, Lucid said that it has sufficient funding to last until the second half of 2026, when it plans to launch its more affordable midsize EV platform. The first two models will be a midsize SUV and sedan, starting at about $50,000.
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