The demand for lithium has increased dramatically in the last few years , as car manufacturers in the US , China and Japan buy supplies preparing for a more electric future . Figures show that lithium carbonate imported to China more than doubled in the last two months of 2009 , driven by companies such as BYD , which sold more electric vehicles in ten months than Tesla did since 2008 . Battery technology has traditionally faced challenges with cost , recharging times , and storage capacity ; however producing large - scale batteries will play a crucial part in providing cleaner power on and off electricity grids . Some companies are installing millions of lithium - ion battery packs into power plants to regulate electricity supply during peak demand times and when threatened by unfavourable weather . Until now, the limits on the use of batteries have been storage capacity, cost and recharging times. A rising lithium price has lead researchers to look at cheaper battery alternatives , meanwhile although Li - ion batteries lack the capacity to store grid - scale power for more than a few hours , the increase in supply of lithium batteries will improve scientists ' understanding of their performance .
The demand for lithium has increased dramatically in the last few years , as car manufacturers in the US , China and Japan buy supplies preparing for a more electric future . Figures show that lithium carbonate imported to China more than doubled in the last two months of 2009 , driven by companies such as BYD , which sold more electric vehicles in ten months than Tesla did since 2008 . Battery technology has traditionally faced challenges with cost , recharging times , and storage capacity ; however producing large - scale batteries will play a crucial part in providing cleaner power on and off electricity grids . Some companies are installing millions of lithium - ion battery packs into power plants to regulate electricity supply during peak demand times and when threatened by unfavourable weather . A rising lithium price has lead researchers to look at cheaper battery alternatives , meanwhile although Li - ion batteries lack the capacity to store grid - scale power for more than a few hours , the increase in supply of lithium batteries will improve scientists ' understanding of their performance .