Not only are electric cars a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change but their soaring sales are changing global politics. As the Western world scrambles to keep pace with the development and wider geopolitical implications of electric vehicles, China has stolen a big lead. In the early stages of the development of its battery industry, the country relied on its vast interior for its needs. But in recent years even China’s vast mineral resources were unable to produce enough ore to supply the needs of its battery industry. Pilot schemes to encourage electric vehicle ownership were introduced in cities and there were big subsidies on electric cars.

Source: The Nation August 11, 2021 10:41 UTC