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lithium
Trends
- 1
A Nature piece examines how the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining and extraction can be reduced as global demand for the metal keeps rising with battery production. Researchers discuss ways to lower the footprint of lithium used in electric vehicles and energy storage.
- 2BYD to launch solid-state battery electric car in 2027▼BYD has confirmed plans to launch an electric car with a solid-state battery in 2027
Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed plans to bring an electric vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery to market in 2027. Solid-state batteries are seen as a potential breakthrough for electric cars, promising greater range, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells. The announcement puts BYD in the race with other manufacturers working toward mass production of the technology.
- 3Lithium-ion battery blamed for fatal house fire killing mother and three children●Fire that killed mum and three children caused by lithium-ion battery https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq62jyk6ne4vo?
A house fire that killed a mother and her three children was caused by a lithium-ion battery, the BBC reports. The finding has renewed concern over the safety of lithium-ion batteries in household devices, which fire services have increasingly warned can ignite if damaged, charged improperly or left unattended.
- 4BYD says its solid-state EV battery is nearly road-ready▼BYD Says Its New Solid-State EV Battery Tech Is Nearly Ready For The Open Road
Chinese automaker BYD says its solid-state electric vehicle battery technology is close to being ready for real-world use. Solid-state batteries promise greater range, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells, and automakers worldwide are racing to commercialise them. A breakthrough from BYD, the world's largest EV maker, would be a major step in the industry's shift to next-generation battery tech.
- 5New tracker covers transition mineral mining in South America▼Transition Minerals Tracker 2026: South America
The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has released the South America edition of its Transition Minerals Tracker 2026, monitoring companies extracting minerals used in renewable energy technologies across the region. The tracker documents human rights issues linked to lithium, copper and other transition minerals operations, covering labour practices, community impacts and environmental concerns in countries such as Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.
- 6
Saltwater flooding in South Jersey has triggered fires in electric vehicles, as salt water can short-circuit lithium-ion batteries and ignite them, sometimes days after submersion. Local firefighters and officials are warning owners of flooded EVs to keep vehicles away from structures and to have them inspected. The incidents have renewed discussion about EV battery safety during coastal storms and flooding.
- 7Golf carts with lithium-ion batteries catch fire near Teal Bend▼Golf carts with lithium-ion batteries catch on fire near Teal Bend Golf Course
Several golf carts with lithium-ion batteries caught fire near Teal Bend Golf Course, local outlet FOX40 reports. No details were given about injuries or the cause, but the incident adds to growing scrutiny of lithium-ion battery fire risks in everyday equipment, as lithium cells can ignite and burn intensely when damaged or overcharged.