The Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis are in talks with the Serbian government to invest in lithium processing and battery production for electric vehicles. This partnership could, among other things, contribute to the European Union’s (EU) goal of securing the supply of raw materials for electric cars.
Executives from Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis were in Serbia on July 19 ahead of the expected signing of a framework agreement between Serbia and the EU on mineral raw materials.
As reported by Automotive News Europe, citing Bloomberg, the carmakers, which are already partners in the joint battery venture Automotive Cells Company (ACC), consider getting involved in investing in Rio Tinto Group at the $2.4 billion mine in Serbia. The aim is to ensure the processing and production of batteries for electric vehicles.
Dedicated to metals, the Rio Tinto Group is a multinational company focused on the search, mining and processing of the planet's mineral resources.
EU joins Serbia in lithium partnership
The success of the partnership between Serbia, Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis could boost the Rio Tinto Group, stimulate Serbia’s economy, and help the EU secure supplies of raw materials for electric cars and the energy transition as a whole.
The talks are also a step towards reactivating the Jadar mine, which Serbia shut down two years ago following mass protests that paralyzed cities across the country.
They are building a very modern mine and we are a potential customer. To make it economical, we would certainly have a part of the value chain in the country. Possibly even the production of battery cells... we would support that.
Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius said on July 19 in Belgrade. Stellantis declined to comment on its lithium plans.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz
On the same day, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the planned agreement with Serbia and stated that the mining project will not have negative effects on the region's environment.
As he shared with journalists, people cannot complain that the extraction of certain minerals is limited to a few countries - "among them a very large country in the East" - and, at the same time, oppose new mining projects in Europe.
Furthermore, he assured that mining exploration will be conducted in a way that does not cause "substantial damage to the environment".
The initial pact between Serbia and the EU envisages the creation of a processing industry as well as the manufacture of batteries, according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
