Albemarle Corp.

Charlotte-based Albemarle Corp. is taking steps to make its planned lithium mine in Kings Mountain climate-friendly. The company announced a deal Wednesday to supply Caterpillar with lithium for electric vehicles. Caterpillar will provide battery-powered mining equipment to Albemarle.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited North Carolina Monday to begin a four-state Southeast tour to promote the Biden administration's climate policies, clean energy investments and new jobs.

Putting more electric vehicles on the roads is a critical strategy in the fight against climate change. And at least for now, that means more cars powered by lithium-ion batteries. With demand for lithium already skyrocketing, the question is: Where will it come from?

Two new factories announced Wednesday in South Carolina will continue the expansion of electric vehicle supply chain businesses in the Carolinas.

The Charlotte City Council voted Monday in favor of amending the city's contract to buy electricity from a planned solar farm in Iredell County and absorb a 25% fee increase. The council also approved an economic development grant for a new lithium research center in northeast Charlotte.

The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote Monday night on Charlotte's $7.2 million share of financial incentives for a proposed lithium research center in northeast Charlotte. The council also will vote on whether to accept a cost increase in electricity from a planned solar farm in Iredell County.

Redwood Materials, a Nevada company that makes electric vehicle battery components, says it will build a $3.5 billion campus near Charleston, South Carolina. State officials say it's the largest economic development investment in South Carolina's history.

Charlotte-based chemicals supplier Albemarle Corp. plans a $200 million lithium research center in Charlotte's University Research Park. The company says the center will create 200 jobs and support the fast-growing market for lithium and electric vehicle batteries.

The federal climate and health care law enacted last week has provisions aimed at boosting the U.S. electric vehicle industry. North Carolina lithium mining companies say it will help their business of supplying electric vehicle makers.

An overflow crowd packed the Kings Mountain city council chamber Monday night to hear about a Charlotte company's proposal to reopen an old lithium mine.