Top 5 makes by lithium consumption in Europe and the Americas

A combined total of 168.5 kilotonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) were deployed onto roads globally from January through April this year in the batteries of all newly sold passenger EVs, including plug-in and conventional hybrids, combined, a 30% increase over 2024. 

Europe and the Americas made up 38% of the global total with LCE deployment over the first four months of 2025 rising by 24% year on year to 64.4 kt.

A slowing US market dragged down overall growth across the three continents, in contrast to the robust 34% expansion seen in the Asia Pacific region, which reached 100.3 kt year to date.  

By EV maker, Tesla held onto top spot with just under 10.0 kt of LCE deployed across its S,3,X,Y models and the Cybertruck, despite a 17% decline over January–April 2024.  

Volkswagen started strong in 2025 putting 5.8 kt of LCE onto roads across Europe and the Americas, representing a surge of 112% compared to the same period in 2024 boosted by the success of its new ID.7 model in Europe. The well-received sedan will not be for sale in North America.  

BMW came in third, deploying 3.9 kt of LCE so far in 2025, up 14% year on year followed by Ford at 3.5 kt after the US automaker achieved healthy 33% growth. While Dearborn’s long-time bestseller, the Mustang Mach-E, struggled to maintain momentum, the Europe-only Ford Explorerhad a highly successful debut, contributing 16% of Ford’s lithium consumption.

Audi came in fifth after 35% expansion with the upmarket VW brand deploying 3.3 kt over the four-month period and overtaking luxury peer, Mercedes which saw a decline in LCE deployment so far this year.

BYD placed ninth behind Kia and Volvo, continued to expand rapidly outside its home base achieving year-on-year growth of 131% at 2.3 kt of LCE across Europe and the Americas despite being effectively shut out of the US and Canadian markets.

Another Volkswagen brand, Skoda, came in eleventh, trailing Hyundai, it matched BYD’s breakneck expansion across the region with the new Elroq SUV already representing 29% of the Czech automaker’s lithium deployment.

Note: Reported battery materials deployment constitutes installed terminal tonnes and does not take into account losses during conversion, refining, and manufacturing processes. 

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