Serbia's Lithium Priority: European Carmakers Over Chinese Rivals

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic announced that the country will prioritize European carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Stellantis for lithium supply, strengthening ties with the EU. The reinstated Rio Tinto license aims for an annual output of 58,000 tonnes, focusing on local lithium processing and battery production.

Serbia will give Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Stellantis priority access to lithium for car batteries as the nation seeks to bolster its ties with European carmakers over Chinese counterparts, President Aleksandar Vucic said.

In an interview with German daily Handelsblatt, Vucic emphasized the importance of lithium to the EU and revealed that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to visit Serbia for talks focused on critical raw materials for battery supply chains and electric vehicles.

Serbia has reinstated Rio Tinto's license to develop Europe's largest lithium mine, potentially boosting the continent's electric vehicle industry. Vucic stated that Serbia aims to produce 58,000 tonnes of lithium annually, sufficient for around 1.1 million electric vehicles or 17% of the European market. He added that procurement deals would depend on a major portion of lithium processing and battery production occurring within Serbia.

(With inputs from agencies.)