Lithium Sets Another Record as Battery Metal Extends 400% Gain

(Bloomberg) — Lithium prices are continuing their breakneck ascent in China, with surging electric-vehicle sales underpinning a fivefold gain over the past year.

Chinese lithium carbonate prices tracked by Asian Metal Inc. rose to a record Monday as data showed a 35% month-on-month jump in electric-vehicle registrations in December. Nearly 400,000 EVs were registered during the month, according to the China Automotive Technology and Research Center. Tesla Inc. supplied about 18% of the total.