Senators urge US to take steps to boost battery production, citing China

Two influential Democratic U.S. senators urged the Energy Department to take steps to boost U.S. battery manufacturing, citing China's dominance and recent Chinese export controls imposed, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner and Energy Committee Chair Joe Manchin cited experts saying that the United States is "ten to twenty years behind Asia in commercialization of battery technology," and noted that China accounts for more than 75% of battery cell production.

"The U.S. must become a leader in manufacturing batteries and battery components, while securing our supply chains for the materials that make up those components," the senators wrote, citing China's decision last month to restrict exports of graphite, critical to manufacturing battery anodes.