News
Tesla lithium supply to come from Quebec, meeting IRA requirements for EV tax credits [Opinion]
Tesla will be receiving lithium supplies from Quebec, giving it an edge in meeting the Inflation Reduction Act’s battery requirements for EV tax credits.
A Major Source of Li in North America
In a press release, Tesla lithium supplier Piedmont Lithium Inc. announced the official restart of commercial spodumene concentrate production in North America. Spodumene concentrate is the most common lithium-containing rock, estimated to contain around 8% Li2O.
Piedmont and Sayona Mining Limited invested USD 80 million to restart the North American Lithium (NAL) project in Quebec, becoming the first major source of new spodumene production in North America. Piedmont predicts NAL will be the only major spodumene source in North America in the next two years. Sayona aims to produce 226,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate annually and start commercial shipments by Q3 2023.
Tesla & LG Chem’s Li Deals with Piedmont
In the near term, Sayona is concentrating on fulfilling four shipments equal to 120,000 metric tons of spodumene from the NAL. Tesla and LG Chem are among the list of battery and electric vehicle manufacturers that will receive spodumene concentrate from NAL in Quebec.
Tesla and Piedmont have a multi-year deal for spodumene concentrate through the end of 2025. The deal states that Piedmont will deliver around 125,000 metric tons of spodumene to Tesla by the second half of this year.
South Korean battery maker LG Chem also has a deal with Piedmont for 50,000 metric tons of spodumene, starting Q3 2023. The Asian battery supplier expects to extract ~30,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide from the spodumene supplied by Piedmont, enough material to support around 500,000 high-performance electric cars.
Tesla Ahead of the Curve
Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department released stricter battery requirements for EV tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA now requires 50% of battery components to be produced or assembled in North America in order for an electric vehicle to qualify for a $3,750 credit. In addition, at least 40% of the minerals used in an EV battery must come from the United States or a free trade partner to qualify for a $3,730 credit.
Lithium is a key ingredient of batteries in electric cars. Tesla and LG Chem are ahead of the curve when meeting IRA’s battery requirements, considering both companies will be receiving Li from the first major lithium source in North America.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.