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South Korea welcomes US decision to extend usage of Chinese graphite in EVs

South Korea on Wednesday invited a U.S. choice to extend automakers' eligibility for electric automobile tax credits for automobiles containing Chinese graphite through 2026.

The U.S. is attempting to wean the electrical automobile battery chain far from China through its Inflation Reduction Act which is being closely monitored by automakers as they make financial investment decisions.

South Korea's market ministry stated it will continue to look for to protect key battery materials so domestic battery producers and carmakers can preserve their competitiveness in the U.S. market by satisfying the requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act.

In the case of graphite, it was tough to diversify the supply chain in a brief amount of time, making it difficult to receive U.S. EV tax credits for batteries ... we have actually been actively consulting with the U.S. federal government, and our request ( of extension of graphite usage) was reflected in the last rules, the market ministry said in a declaration.

The ministry stated South Korean battery makers, consisting of LG Energy Service, Samsung SDI and SK On that went to the meeting, invited the reprieve.

The new guidelines now let cars and truck buyers get up to $7,500 in tax credits for electric vehicles (EV) containing Chinese graphite through 2026.

The ministry included that it would offer 9.7 trillion won ($ 7.11 billion) in financial assistance to support efforts of the nation's EV sector to secure a self-sufficient supply chain.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department said it would provide car manufacturers up until 2027 to reduce some hard-to-trace minerals like graphite included in anode materials and vital minerals included in electrolyte binders, salts, and additives.

The Industry Ministry stated it will help business fulfill requirements such as submitting strategies to the U.S. on how they will diversify graphite products from 2027 and make accurate. calculations of the worths of battery minerals to get tax. credits.

(source: Reuters)