Serbia seeks lithium partnerships with Mercedes, Stellantis, and VW
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Serbia Prioritizes Europe's Car Manufacturers for Lithium Supply
Serbia is extending an offer to prominent European car manufacturers—Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Stellantis—to purchase lithium for electric vehicle batteries, as the nation aims to fortify its connections with the European Union rather than China. This strategic move underscores Serbia's intention to align more closely with the EU's burgeoning electric vehicle market. President Aleksandar Vucic emphasized this priority in a recent interview, highlighting the necessity for the EU to secure essential raw materials like lithium.
European Collaboration
In pursuit of this goal, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Serbia for discussions with Vucic. A central topic during their meeting will be the procurement of critical raw materials pivotal for battery supply chains and the production of electric vehicles.
Serbia recently reinstated a license for Rio Tinto, allowing the company to develop Europe's largest lithium mine. This development represents a significant opportunity for the continent's electric vehicle industry, potentially bolstering its competitive edge. According to Vucic, Serbia aims to produce an estimated 58,000 tonnes of lithium annually. This quantity could power approximately 1.1 million electric vehicles, meeting about 17% of the entire European market's demand.
Conditions for Procurement
Vucic stipulated that any procurement agreements would require the bulk of lithium processing and battery production to be conducted within Serbia. This condition is intended to stimulate local economic growth and ensure that Serbia captures more value from its lithium resources rather than merely exporting raw materials.
Overall, Serbia's plan to supply lithium to European carmakers while ensuring substantial domestic industrial activity represents a strategic initiative to both strengthen ties with the EU and boost its own economic prospects in the evolving global electric vehicle market.
