Sept. 12, 2022—Tesla is considering a lithium hydroxide refining facility in Texas.
According to CNBC, this plant would develop lithium hydroxide that is battery grade. Once processed, Tesla would be able to ship lithium hydroxide to its respective factories for auto manufacturing EVs.There is no other plant like this in the United States, according to a letter released by the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is interested in lithium mining due to increased lithium cost. Tesla has submitted an application for consideration to the state of Texas, with hopes of a location on the gulf coast of the state.
The CNBC article noted that nothing has been approved thus far, and no permits have been obtained by Tesla in regard to this endeavor. But if the Tesla application does get approved, construction of the plant could start in late 2022. It could reach commercial operations by 2024.
However, this project is still very much in its early stages. Tesla is said to be looking at a site in Louisiana as well.
