US Lithium-Sulfur Battery Maker Plans Gigafactory in US and Europe, Toyota Nears Milestone in Solid-State Battery Manufacturing, Africa's First Major Lithium Project, $2.8 Billion Chinese Investment in Zimbabwe

Africa’s first major lithium project without Chinese funding is set to bolster US ambitions of developing its own battery-making industry. A US-based lithium-sulfur battery maker plans to set up a gigafactory in both the US and Europe as part of a quest to spread a technology it claims is lighter and greener than traditional alternatives. Toyota says it is close to being able to manufacture next-generation solid-state batteries at the same rate as existing batteries for electric vehicles, marking a milestone in the global race to commercialize the technology. Superbatteries will transform the performance of EVs.

Toyota claims its new battery will provide a range of around 1,200km, which is about twice that of many existing models, and can be recharged in around ten minutes. Chinese companies win licenses to invest $2.8 billion in Zimbabwe lithium mining and energy projects. Team borrows semiconductor industry know-how to make better batteries.