Updated

A new analysis argues that despite roughly $500 million in Western investment aimed at building alternative battery supply chains, China's dominance in battery manufacturing and raw material processing remains largely unchallenged. Industry observers said the scale of Chinese investment and infrastructure built over decades cannot be replicated quickly, warning that 'we don't have decades' to catch up. The report highlights growing concern among policymakers and manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe about strategic dependence on China for critical battery inputs used in electric vehicles and energy storage. The findings add to broader debate over critical minerals security and supply-chain diversification efforts.