Demand for Lithium Is Poised to Take Off – NYTimes.com

Lithium is also has a potential use with nuclear fusion i think too.

For many years, few metals drew bigger yawns from mining executives than lithium, a lightweight element long associated mostly with mood-stabilizing drugs.

Suddenly, the yawns are being replaced by eurekas. As awareness spreads that lithium is a crucial ingredient for hybrid and electric cars, a global hunt is under way for new supplies of the metal.

via Demand for Lithium Is Poised to Take Off – NYTimes.com.