W e are currently experiencing an epic supply / demand dislocation between exponential growth , and demand for lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems , coupled with a lack of efficient scalability of the sources of supply for key ingredients .” The verdict on the state of the market for battery metals , from TechMet CEO Brian Menell , hits home when he likens the current impasse to a scale not seen since the impact of the Industrial Revolution , when the demand for coal and iron ore skyrocketed . It represents an unprecedented value creation opportunity as the global adoption of new technologies ramps .