Lucid Locks In U.S. Graphite Supply: Can America Finally End Its Battery Material Dependence?
Lucid partners with Graphite One to source U.S. graphite for EV batteries by 2028, slashing reliance on foreign suppliers and boosting energy security.
- 2028: First U.S. graphite supply to Lucid begins
- 100%: All-natural graphite sourced from Alaska’s Graphite Creek
- 3-Year Deal: Syrah’s Louisiana facility starts supplying Lucid in 2025
- 34 Years: U.S. gap in domestic graphite processing tech ends
The race for electric vehicle (EV) dominance in America just shifted gears. Lucid Group, a rising EV star, has inked its second landmark deal with Graphite One—and this time, it’s all about American-mined graphite. The crucial mineral, harvested from Alaska’s looming Graphite Creek mine, is set to charge up Lucid’s lithium-ion battery supply chain starting in 2028.
But what does this mean for the U.S. EV battery market, national supply chain security, and the looming battery wars with China? Let’s break down why Lucid’s new pact is bigger than it sounds.
Why Is U.S.-Sourced Graphite a Game Changer for EVs?
Graphite is the silent force behind battery anodes—without it, EVs don’t run. Until now, almost all battery-grade graphite came from overseas (mainly China), leaving U.S. automakers exposed to tariffs, shipping snarls, and geopolitical turbulence.
Lucid’s new agreements mark a seismic shift. Natural graphite will travel directly from Alaska’s vast deposits, while processed anode-ready material (AAM) will roll off the line at a new Graphite One plant in Warren, Ohio. This plant, opening in 2028, aims to shatter America’s three-decade reliance on foreign know-how.
How Is Lucid Building Its “Battery Independence” Strategy?
Lucid is going all-in on sourcing EV batteries from within the U.S. The company is also set to receive advanced AAM from Syrah Resources in Louisiana under a fresh three-year agreement kicking off in 2025. This local-first strategy mirrors the moves of big players like Nissan, which recently struck a deal with battery giant SK On.
Lucid’s transition to Panasonic’s Kansas battery facility signals a growing homegrown network. The company’s interim CEO points to this supply chain localization as a way to future-proof American jobs, protect against global market shocks, and drastically cut the carbon footprint of its luxury EVs.
What Role Do Foreign Partners Still Play?
There’s a twist: the tech to process battery-grade graphite simply doesn’t exist in the U.S.—yet. Graphite One is teaming up with Hunan Chenyu Fuji New Energy Technology, a pioneering Chinese firm, to design, build, and operate its Ohio factory. Chenyu provides the cutting-edge knowhow, earning royalties for their support.
This international alliance highlights a hard truth: America’s push for energy independence needs both domestic resources and foreign expertise to catch up after a decades-long knowledge gap.
Can Lucid Truly Drive U.S. Battery Innovation in 2025 and Beyond?
Industry insiders see Lucid’s moves as part of a wider trend reshaping the U.S. auto sector. Major automakers and EV startups alike are securing domestic battery materials to sidestep future disruptions.
Regulators and consumers are watching. As new Department of Energy incentives and tougher emissions rules take effect in 2025, pressure is mounting to shore up American-made battery supply chains.
How to Prepare for the EV Battery Supply Chain Shakeup
– Watch for new investments in U.S. battery and graphite processing.
– Monitor partnerships between American carmakers and advanced foreign tech providers.
– Expect a ramp-up in jobs and innovation across Alaska and Ohio.
– Anticipate stiffer competition with Asian battery suppliers.
Ready for the future of American EV power? Follow these next steps to stay in the driver’s seat:
Checklist: How to Track the U.S. Battery Materials Boom
- Keep tabs on new projects from Lucid, Graphite One, and other battery innovators
- Check Tesla’s sourcing strategies and compare industry shifts
- Follow updates from Nissan and other automakers localizing battery supply
- Watch federal energy policy changes at the US Department of Energy
- Track investments and tech partnerships between U.S. firms and global leaders in battery technology
Stay tuned—America’s EV battery revolution is just getting charged up.
