Mercedes, Stellantis in Talks to Back Serbia’s Lithium Plans
- Carmakers may invest in processing, EV battery production
- Rio Tinto is set to develop $2.4 billion mine after setback
Packaged samples of jadarite mineral, containing lithium and borate, at the Rio Tinto Group research center in Loznica, Serbia.
Photographer: Oliver Bunic/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Stellantis NV are in discussions with Serbia’s government to invest in lithium-processing and EV battery production, potentially adding fresh support for what may become Europe’s biggest lithium mine.
The carmakers, who are already partners in a battery joint venture, are willing to follow Rio Tinto Group’s investment in the proposed $2.4 billion mine in Serbia by developing processing and EV battery output, according to people familiar with the situation.