Science Energy Bolivia: Saudi Arabia of Lithium By Shea Gunther Writer University of New Hampshire Rochester Institute of Technology University of Southern Maine Shea Gunther is a writer, entrepreneur, and podcaster living in Portland, Maine. He covers topics such as renewable energy, climate change, and nature. our editorial process Shea Gunther Updated January 16, 2020 A salt flat in Bolivia. (Photo: AHLN [CC BY 2.0]/Flickr) Share Twitter Pinterest Email Energy Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Most of the world's supply of lithium, a necessary ingredient in modern high-capacity batteries, comes from Bolivia. The metal is locked away in massive salt flats in the South American country and could turn into a kink in the transition to electric cars, which rely on the metal for its superior ability to hold and discharge electricity. CNN ran a great piece about what it means to have the world's supply of a necessary ingredient for electric cars tied up in one country. Bolivia seems to know what it is that they have under their soil and is understandably keen on using it to leverage themselves into a more developed (and richer) country. Via [BoingBoing]