Stellantis AND Controlled thermal resources (CTR) announced investments in the amount of over 100 million dollars (i.e. the equivalent of approximately €91.6 million) provided by Stellantis for the development of CTR’s Hell’s Kitchen project. It is about the world’s largest geothermal lithium project : each year, the total production capacity of resources in the equivalent of lithium carbonate is 300,000 tons.

“Our industry-leading decarbonisation strategy uses low-emission production and sustainable sourcing as core elements in the production of our electric vehicles”said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis: “This agreement with CTR represents a major step forward in our commitment to our customers and our planet, and in our desire to offer clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions in North America. »

Stellantis: sustainable lithium production

Within the framework of this project, the production of lithium and its use in batteries will be established between the two partners electric cars Stellantis to be eligible for IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) consumer bonuses.

The 10-year supply contract provides for the production of CTR 65,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) per year, which will be used for the production of batteries for electric vehicles. In June 2022, the two companies have already signed a lithium supply agreement for the supply of 25,000 tons of LHM per year.

Located in Imperial County, California, the CTR Hell’s Kitchen project will harness the benefits of geothermal brine to production of “environmental” lithium for batteries : this will be produced using renewable energy and steam in an integrated closed-loop process. This process eliminates the need for salt ponds, mining, or fossil fuels.

Geothermal lithium: start in 2027

As part of its “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, Stellantis plans to sell 100% electric vehicles for passenger cars in Europe and 50% for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in the United States by 2030. To achieve these goals, the automotive group will achieve a battery capacity of approximately 400 GWhthanks to no less than six battery manufacturing plants located in North America and Europe.

Stellantis plans for 2027 the start of deliveries of lithium hydroxide monohydrate for batteries by the CTR company. As part of this, 480 jobs will be created in the field of construction under full collective agreements, and in the future – up to 940 jobs.

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