Korean EV crisis: US IRA law hits Korea directly
Korean EV crisis: US IRA law hits Korea directly ・South Korea imports core minerals from China ・Japanese government to support Toyota with all-solid-state batteries We bring you a summary of Hisashi Katsumata’s World View article. By TokioX’Press Auto, EV Korea Economic Newspaper: (February 17)
We published an article titled “Yellow light is on for Korean-made EV batteries.” US IRA law hits Korean batteries directly: The US IRA law puts a check on batteries made in China. This is now directly hitting the Korean battery industry. Three Korean companies depend on Chinese imports:
The three Korean companies import most of the core minerals from China for battery manufacturing. Enforcement of IRA regulations: If EV battery products receive mineral supplies from foreign companies of concern (FEOCs), they will not be eligible for U.S. government subsidies. Japan, the battery suzerain country:
Japan’s Sony originally took the lead by commercializing Li batteries. After that, China and South Korea became dominant in packaging (mass production technology). Toyota of Japan and Idemitsu Kosan collaborate: Japan is developing all-solid-state batteries, which are called “dream batteries.” 1. Always leading China and South Korea with next-generation high value-added products. 2.
It is widely known that the company has achieved results in the development of all-solid-state batteries. Toyota stock market capitalization hits new record: On February 15th, the market capitalization reached 55,188.2 billion yen. Toyota has completely surpassed Samsung in terms of market capitalization.
It is the first time since August 2016 that it has surpassed Samsung Electronics. It’s been 7 years and 6 months. Conditions for receiving the U.S. IRA Act subsidy: The US IRA law provides subsidies of up to $7,500 for EVs. 1. The core minerals and components of the battery must meet certain requirements. 2.
Only for EVs that are finally assembled in North America. provide subsidies What are ‘certain requirements’? EV battery manufacturing companies must not procure from foreign companies of concern (FEOC). 1. Starting this year, parts will no longer be procured from FEOC-designated countries. 2.
Starting next year, core minerals will no longer be procured from FEOC-designated countries. Proposed detailed provisions for IRA: In December last year, all Chinese companies were designated as FEOCs in the IRA detailed regulations draft. The number of vehicle models eligible for EV subsidies has been reduced from 43 to 19 this year.
South Korea uses minerals from China: The problem is that most of the core minerals that South Korea procures come from China. Announcement from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy: South Korea’s dependence on imports of core battery minerals from China is as follows. ▼Lithium hydroxide: 84% ▼Cobalt hydroxide: 69% ▼Cobalt sulfate: 97%
▼Manganese sulfate: 97% ▼Manganese carbonate: 100% Dependency on imports from China is extremely high (2021 standards) Korean companies request the US: On January 21st, a Korean company published a statement to the US government in the US Official Gazette. Hyundai Motor Opinion: Hyundai Motor is unable to receive subsidies due to the implementation of IRA.
Request for postponement of application of FEOC regulations: I would like the application of FEOC (for specific core minerals such as graphite) to be temporarily suspended. China’s graphite production volume in 2022: 1. We produce 100% of the world’s spherical graphite (intermediate raw material processed from graphite). 2. It also produces 69% of artificial graphite.
. It is difficult for South Korea to produce graphite in a short period of time. Therefore, the logic is ‘I want you to take this situation into consideration.’ Korean battery’s existential crisis: For South Korea, there is an urgent need to substitute imports for core minerals produced in China.
However, this is not a problem that can be resolved within a year. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan supports Toyota: The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will support Toyota’s battery business investment with subsidies. Last year, it announced that it would provide 120 billion yen in subsidies for Toyota’s batteries.
Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) Investing 150 billion yen over two years into Japanese semiconductors and batteries. Support will be provided to expand production of battery materials in Japan. Japan’s dependence on China is low: Unlike Korean batteries, Japan’s EV batteries are less dependent on China.
Japan is gearing up to benefit from the US IRA law. Panasonic strengthens battery business: Panasonic has sold its auto parts manufacturing subsidiary. The company will invest this money to strengthen its battery business.
Korean EV crisis: US IRA law hits Korea directly
・South Korea imports core minerals from China
・Japanese government to support Toyota with all-solid-state batteries
We bring you a summary of Hisashi Katsumata’s World View article.
By TokioX’Press
Auto, EV