In September 2025, the U.S. lithium carbonate market increase in demand in electric vehicle (EV) sales before the expiration of the federal tax credit on September 30. The new EV credit provided a $7,500 tax credit and $4,000 for a used EV, spurring a 21.1% increase in sales year-over-year and a 30% increase from the spring of 2025, raising demand for lithium carbonate needed in lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, since the tax credits were set to be repealed, saving $190 billion over the next decade, there was associated volatility in the market, while oil interests lobbied to fight the subsidies, and the administration had proposals to continue eliminating greenhouse gas restrictions that added uncertainty. EV penetration surpassed 11% of sales in September, which is important to creating domestic supply chains. By the end of the month, prices stabilized, but many stakeholders continued to raise the risk of a downward trend in demand, based on the slow ramp-up from the consumer and continued uncertainty in the legislative agenda that could lead to reduced incentives.
