Lithium - Jumping on the (Hybrid) Bandwagon

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Lithium, the lightest metal, is a natural resource, the majority of the world's supply being found in Chile.

It has attracted interest recently due to its use in Lithium-ion batteries. Small Li-ion batteries are currently exclusively used to power mobile 'phones, laptops and the like. In spite of the fact that these batteries have had some very public failures of late with faulty units causing fires it would seem that lithium technology will be the preferred choice when it comes to larger versions which will be used to power hybrid cars of the future, rather than the current nickel-metal-hydride type as used by Toyota in the Prius. The Prius apparently cost more to manufacture than to sell and a big factor in the cost is the battery.

Sony says that it will solve the Lithium-ion battery problem by using one of two new technologies: Lithium-polymer membrane and Lithium-ceramic membrane.
As for the OEM automobile companies GM has stated that it will produce hundreds of thousands of hybrids by 2010 and Renault has announced that they will also produce hundreds of thousands of safe, reliable Lithium battery technology-using hybrids by 2010.

Assuming the worlds' carmakers will be producing the nearly 2 million or so hybrids they have promised to sell in 2010 there will need to be a big increase in Lithium production whatever the final battery design.
There is no other known technology that can provide the power and capacity of Lithium-based technology.

The three major uses of Lithium are for glass, ceramic and glass frit. The world's largest supplier in all three categories is SQM of Chile (see below).

Rockwood (ROC:NYSE) Owner of America's only Lithium producer from a mine in Nevada.
Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM:NYSE)
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT:NYSE)owns 70% of SQM