Serbia is positioning itself strategically in the global electric vehicle (EV) market by offering prominent European automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Stellantis access to lithium resources for car batteries. President Aleksandar Vucic articulated Serbia’s commitment to prioritising relationships with European car manufacturers over those from China, citing the European Union’s increasing demand for lithium as a crucial factor.
In an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt, Vucic underscored Serbia’s aspiration to deepen its integration with the EU. This aligns with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s upcoming visit to Serbia, where discussions will focus extensively on securing critical raw materials essential for battery supply chains and electric vehicle production.
Serbia’s recent decision to reinstate a license for Rio Tinto to develop Europe’s largest lithium mine marks a significant step towards enhancing the region’s capacity in the EV sector. Vucic revealed ambitious plans for Serbia to produce 58,000 tonnes of lithium annually, a quantity sufficient to power approximately 1.1 million electric vehicles, constituting around 17% of the European market.
Moreover, Vucic emphasised that any agreements for lithium procurement would be contingent on substantial portions of further lithium processing and battery production taking place within Serbia itself. This strategic condition aims to not only secure economic benefits for Serbia but also to foster local technological advancements and job creation in the burgeoning electric vehicle industry.
By leveraging its lithium resources and forging closer ties with European automakers, Serbia seeks to position itself as a pivotal player in Europe’s transition towards sustainable mobility solutions, thereby contributing significantly to the continent’s ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.