• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Groundbreaking discovery of 19,000,000 tons of ‘new oil’ could power the entire world’s electric vehicles for decades

Home> News

Published 10:18 22 May 2025 GMT+1

Groundbreaking discovery of 19,000,000 tons of ‘new oil’ could power the entire world’s electric vehicles for decades

'There is enough dissolved lithium to replace US imports of lithium'

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

The US has been on a winning streak lately in the race for clean energy.

After finding a massive $1.5 trillion deposit of lithium inside a supervolcano on the Nevada-Oregon border, researchers have also uncovered another game-changing lithium find.

Now, according to a US Geological Survey (USGS)-led study, scientists have stumbled across five and 19 million tons of lithium reserves beneath southwestern Arkansas. Using advanced water testing and machine learning, the team was able to estimate how much lithium lies in an underground saltwater formation called the Smackover. If successfully extracted, the amount of lithium could meet the world's demand for electric car batteries in 2030 nine times over.

Scientists discovered five and 19 million tons of lithium reserves beneath southwestern Arkansas. (Bloomberg Creative/Getty)
Scientists discovered five and 19 million tons of lithium reserves beneath southwestern Arkansas. (Bloomberg Creative/Getty)

How will the lithium be extracted?

One of America’s biggest oil companies ExxonMobil has already signed a deal with global battery company SK On on 'supplying lithium for about 1 million EV batteries annually by 2030 and support the build out of a U.S. EV supply chain,' as per the company's release.

Advert

The process will involve drilling a series of wells about 10,000 feet underground using rigs similar to those used in oil rigs into the formation.

The lithium in the Smackover is contained in saltwater, which will flow up the wells to the surface before a method called direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology will separate the lithium from the brine.

Why are lithium deposits so valuable?

Lithium is an essential component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, making it one of the most sought-after minerals globally.

Advert

With EV production and a drive for clean energy on the rise, the US is eager to reduce its reliance on foreign lithium especially as global conflict threatens key resource supply lines.

“Lithium is a critical mineral for the energy transition, and the potential for increased U.S. production to replace imports has implications for employment, manufacturing and supply-chain resilience," said David Applegate, USGS Director.

Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study’s principal researcher, added: “Our research was able to estimate total lithium present in the southwestern portion of the Smackover in Arkansas for the first time.

"We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace US imports of lithium and more.”

Advert

Tesla invested $365 million on its own lithium refinery in Texas. (Newsday LLC/Contributor/Getty)
Tesla invested $365 million on its own lithium refinery in Texas. (Newsday LLC/Contributor/Getty)

Why Elon Musk calls lithium the 'new oil'

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk began construction on its own lithium refinery in Texas, investing a whopping $365 million into the facility.

The tech mogul called the refinery a 'money-printing machine' and said it could produce enough lithium to support battery production for one million electric vehicles per year. This would make Tesla one of the largest lithium processors in North America, becoming a major player in reshaping the world's EV industry.

Advert

It’s a fitting move, considering the world's richest man once called lithium batteries 'the new oil' as Tesla expands into a region long known for its oil riches.

"Lithium refining is in high demand," investment website The Motley Fool noted. "Tesla has been working hard to get its lithium refinery up and running, and the lithium hydroxide it will produce will be used as a component in the battery cells manufactured at Tesla's Gigafactory."

"Earlier this year, the company revealed that it was expanding its facility in Nevada to include a 100-GWh 4680 cell factory, which will be capable of producing enough batteries to equip roughly 1.5 million light-duty EVs each year."

Featured Image Credit: Bloomberg Creative/Getty
Elon Musk
Tesla
News
Tech News
Discovery

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Elon Musk could power insane number of Tesla vehicles with $1,500,000,000,000 discovery of precious metal hiding in US state
  • Rare earth minerals discovered on 353,785-acre Texas ranch could power everything from smart phones to military weapons
  • Elon Musk set to be huge winner following $1,500,000,000,000 discovery of precious metal hiding in supervolcano
  • Tesla robotaxi video sparks fears 'people will die' as accidents soar

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Experts weigh in as residents flee Florida town after it's named 'worst housing market in America'

    A whopping 12,000 homes are currently for sale in the town

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Horrifying simulation details exactly how cancer develops in the body

    It's estimated that 618,120 people will die from cancer in the USA in 2025

    Science
  • 3 hours ago

    Elon Musk's 'improved' AI deletes disturbing posts after chatbot praised Adolf Hitler

    xAI's Grok made direct references to Nazi ideology

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to resign after major twist in Epstein files

    It's claimed that the Trump administration 'lied' to the American people

    News