Research Article
Sustainable transformation in the transportation sector and critical materials: An assessment of the status of critical Minerals in electric vehicle batteries
Abstract
Achieving the decarbonization targets set out in Türkiye’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) requires the widespread adoption of clean technologies in the transportation sector. While electric vehicles play a central role in this transition, the raw materials and critical minerals used in battery and storage technologies also come to fore in this context. An examination of production and price data reveals that Türkiye’s dependent on imports for the supply of these critical materials and this dependence creates vulnerabilities to underlined the necesity of industrial and technological policies for critical minerals. On a global scale, China’s dominance over raw materials and the tensions between the U.S. and China further increase the risks in this field. The aim of this study is to assess Türkiye’s current situation by conducting an analysis of critical minerals—essential for electric vehicles—based on global prices and production data, and to develop recommendations for steps that can be taken to ensure a sustainable transition in this sector. The analysis results show that strengthening domestic production, R&D, and supply chains is essential for Türkiye to achieve sectoral integration, particularly to enhance the competitiveness of critical minerals and ensure sustainable transformation.
References
- Kaynaklar AKGÖK, Y. ve ŞAHİNER, M. (2017), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Lityum. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/img/LİTYUM.pdf
- ALISTAR, B. (2025), Redwood Materials diverts its huge battery hoard toward the AI energy boom, https://www.businessinsider.com/redwood-materials-battery-energy-storage-ai-2025-6
- ARCHER, C. (2022), Graphite stocks: investors are behind, consider investing in 2023. https://investingstrategy.co.uk/stock-tips/graphite-stocks-investors-are-behind-consider-investing-in-2023/
- ARIKAN, F. (2023), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Kuvars, Kuvarsit ve Kuvars Kumu. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/hizmetler/heyelan-haritalari
- BENCHMARK. (2024), Lithium Price Assessments. https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/lithium-prices
- BHUTADA, G. (2022), Visualizing 25 Years of Lithium Production, by Country. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-25-years-of-lithium-production-by-country/
- CAREY, N. (2025), European EV battery material startups make recycling breakthroughs. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/european-ev-battery-material-startups-make-recycling-breakthroughs-2025-02-13/
- CEFAI, S. (2023), Spotlight on sulfate: Volatility expected in manganese sulfate amid supply and processing capacity bottlenecks. https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/volatility-expected-in-manganese-sulfate/
- COHEN, J. (2023), Resource realism: The geopolitics of critical mineral supply chains. Geopolitics. https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/resource-realism-the-geopolitics-of-critical-mineral-supply-chains.html
- DINLEN, İ. (2022), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Demir. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/dunyada_turkiyede_demir_1.pdf
- EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES (2023), This chart shows which countries produce the most lithium. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/chart-countries-produce-lithium-world/
- ENERJİ VE TABİİ KAYNAKLAR BAKANLIĞI. (2024), Bakır. https://enerji.gov.tr/bilgimerkezi-tabiikaynaklar-bakir
- ENERJİ VE TABİİ KAYNAKLAR BAKANLIĞI (2024), Nikel. https://enerji.gov.tr/tabii-kaynaklar-nikel
- HKEX. (2024), LME Nickel. https://www.lme.com/Metals/Non-ferrous/LME-Nickel#Summary
- IUPAC. (2005), Compendium of Chemical Terminology. https://goldbook.iupac.org/
- IEA. (2021), Minerals used in electric cars compared to conventional cars. https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/minerals-used-in-electric-cars-compared-to-conventional-cars
- IEA. (2025), Energy Act of 2020 (Critical minerals provisions), https://www.iea.org/policies/16065-energy-act-of-2020-critical-minerals-provisions
- IEA. (2023), Global EV Outlook 2023. Geo. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2023
- IEA. (2023a), Critical Minerals Market Review 2023. in Critical Minerals Market Review 2023. https://doi.org/10.1787/9cdf8f39-en
- IEA. (2023b), Energy Technology Perspectives. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a86b480e-2b03-4e25-bae1-da1395e0b620/EnergyTechnologyPerspectives2023.pdf
- IEA. (2024), Mineral requirements for clean energy transitions. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/mineral-requirements-for-clean-energy-transitions
- İSTANBUL MADEN İHRACATÇILARI BİRLİĞİ. (2019), Lityum Yataklarının Durumu, İşletmeciliği ve Geleceği. https://doi.org/10.30797/madencilik.1010286
- GENÇBAY, B., ve DİNLEN, İ. (2023), Madenci̇li̇k sektörüne ai̇t temel ekonomi̇k göstergeler 2022. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/img/TEG2022.pdf
- MCKINSEY AND COMPANY. (2024), Battery 2030: Resilient, sustainable, and circular. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/battery-2030-resilient-sustainable-and-circular
- LIU, S., ve PATTON, D. (2023), China, world’s top graphite producer, tightens exports of key battery material. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-require-export-permits-some-graphite-products-dec-1-2023-10-20/
- LV, A., ve MUNROE, T. (2024), China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/china-bans-exports-gallium-germanium-antimony-us-2024-12-03/
- MAGEM. (2024), Maden İstatistikleri. https://www.mapeg.gov.tr/Sayfa/Madenistatistik
- MILLS. R. (2023), Copper shortage getting real. Kitco. https://aheadoftheherd.com/copper-shortage-getting-real-richard-mills/
- MTA. (2024), Madenciliğin GSYH İçindeki Payı. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/bilgi-merkezi/maden-dis-ticaret
- NORNICKEL. (2021), Navigating the Transition to a Net Zero World. 69. https://www.nornickel.com/upload/iblock/27f/strategy_day_presentation_2021.pdf
- MORENHOUT, T. (2023), China’s Latest Move in the Critical Mineral and Technology Trade War. Center of Global Energy Policy at Colombia. https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/chinas-latest-move-in-the-critical-mineral-and-technology-trade-war
- OEC. (2024), Manganese Ore in TR. https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/manganese-ore/reporter/tur
- OKYAY, V. (2023), 2022 Yılı Kobalt Piyasası Değerlendirmesi. https://madencilikturkiye.com/2022-kobalt-piyasasi-degerlendirmesi/
- TALSAD. (2022), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Aluminyum Sektör Raporu. 6. http://talsad.org.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TALSAD_Dunyada_ve_Turkiyede_Aluminyum_Sektor_Raporu_Ozet_2022.pdf
- T.C. TİCARET BAKANLIĞI. (2024), Afrika, Kıtanın İlk Kobalt Rafinerisine Sahip Olmaya Bir Adım Daha Yaklaştı. https://ticaret.gov.tr/blog/sektor-haberleri/afrika-kitanin-ilk-kobalt-rafinerisine-sahip-olmaya-bir-adim-daha-yaklasti
- TENMAK. (2025), TENMAK’ta Türkiye Enerji Depolama Teknolojileri Stratejisi ve Eylem Planı Çalıştayı Gerçekleştirildi. https://www.tenmak.gov.tr/haberler-slide/4488-tenmak-ta-turkiye-enerji-depolama-teknolojileri-stratejisi-ve-eylem-plani-calistayi-gerceklestirildi.html
- TRADING ECONOMICS. (2024), Kobalt. https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cobalt
- TURCHENIUK, K., BONDAREV, D., AMATUCCI, G. G., & YUSHIN, G. (2021), Battery materials for low-cost electric transportation. Materials Today, 42(February), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2020.09.027
- TUNCEL, S., ARI, N., YOLERİ, B., & ŞAHİNER, M. (2017), Dünyada ve Türkiye ’ Demir. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/dunyada_turkiyede_demir.pdf
- U.S.G.S - GEOLOGİCAL SURVEY (2024), Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3133/mcs2024
- USA DEP. OF ENERGY (2023), Critical Materials Assessment (Issue July), https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/doe-critical-material-assessment_07312023.pdf
- VAALMA, C., BUCHHOLZ, D., WEIL, M., & Passerini, S. (2018), A cost and resource analysis of sodium-ion batteries. Nature Reviews Materials, 3. https://doi.org/10.1038/natrevmats.2018.13
- VAN BOMME, A., & DAHN, J. R. (2009), Analysis of the growth mechanism of coprecipitated spherical and dense nickel, manganese, and cobalt-containing hydroxides in the presence of aqueous ammonia. Chemistry of Materials, 21(8), 1500–1503. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm803144d
- VENDITTI, B. (2022), Visualizing China’s Dominance in Clean Energy Metals. https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-chinas-dominance-in-clean-energy-metals/
- WORLD BANK GROUP. (2017), The Growing Role of Minerals and Metals for a Low Carbon Future. 14. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/207371500386458722/pdf/117581-WP-P159838-PUBLIC-ClimateSmartMiningJuly.pdf
Ulaşım sektörünün sürdürülebilir dönüşümünde kritik malzemelerin rolü: Elektrikli araç bataryalarındaki kritik minerallerin durum değerlendirmesi
Abstract
Türkiye’nin Ulusal Katkı Beyanında yer alan karbonsuzlaştırma hedeflerine ulaşması, ulaşım sektöründe temiz teknolojilerin yaygınlaşmasını gerektirmektedir. Elektrikli araçlar bu dönüşümde merkezi bir rol oynarken, batarya ve depolama teknolojilerinde kullanılan hammaddeler ve kritik mineraller ise bu bağlamda öne çıkmaktadır. Üretim ve dış ticaret verileri incelendiğinde, Türkiye’nin gerekli malzemelerin tedariğinde göze çarpan dışa bağımlılığı kırılganlık yaratmakta ve bu nedenle de kritik mineraller için sanayi ve teknoloji politikalarının geliştirilmesi önem kazanmaktadır. Küresel bağlamda da, Çin’in hammadde kaynaklarına hâkimiyeti ve ABD-Çin gerilimleri bu alandaki riskleri artırmaktadır. Çalışmanın amacı, elektrikli araçlar için gerekli hammaddelerden olan kritik minerallerin dış ticaret ve üretim verileri üzerinden piyasa analizini yaparak Türkiye’deki mevcut durumu değerlendirmek ve sürdürülebilir dönüşümün sağlanması için bu sektörde atılabilecek adımlara yönelik öneriler geliştirmektir. Analiz sonuçları, Türkiye’nin yerli üretim, Ar-Ge ve tedarik zincirini güçlendirme politikalarıyla sektörel entegrasyon sağlamasının, özellikle kritik minerallerin rekabet gücünün artırılması ve sürdürülebilir dönüşümün sağlanabilmesi için gerekli olduğunu göstermiştir.
References
- Kaynaklar AKGÖK, Y. ve ŞAHİNER, M. (2017), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Lityum. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/img/LİTYUM.pdf
- ALISTAR, B. (2025), Redwood Materials diverts its huge battery hoard toward the AI energy boom, https://www.businessinsider.com/redwood-materials-battery-energy-storage-ai-2025-6
- ARCHER, C. (2022), Graphite stocks: investors are behind, consider investing in 2023. https://investingstrategy.co.uk/stock-tips/graphite-stocks-investors-are-behind-consider-investing-in-2023/
- ARIKAN, F. (2023), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Kuvars, Kuvarsit ve Kuvars Kumu. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/hizmetler/heyelan-haritalari
- BENCHMARK. (2024), Lithium Price Assessments. https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/lithium-prices
- BHUTADA, G. (2022), Visualizing 25 Years of Lithium Production, by Country. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-25-years-of-lithium-production-by-country/
- CAREY, N. (2025), European EV battery material startups make recycling breakthroughs. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/european-ev-battery-material-startups-make-recycling-breakthroughs-2025-02-13/
- CEFAI, S. (2023), Spotlight on sulfate: Volatility expected in manganese sulfate amid supply and processing capacity bottlenecks. https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/volatility-expected-in-manganese-sulfate/
- COHEN, J. (2023), Resource realism: The geopolitics of critical mineral supply chains. Geopolitics. https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/resource-realism-the-geopolitics-of-critical-mineral-supply-chains.html
- DINLEN, İ. (2022), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Demir. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/dunyada_turkiyede_demir_1.pdf
- EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES (2023), This chart shows which countries produce the most lithium. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/chart-countries-produce-lithium-world/
- ENERJİ VE TABİİ KAYNAKLAR BAKANLIĞI. (2024), Bakır. https://enerji.gov.tr/bilgimerkezi-tabiikaynaklar-bakir
- ENERJİ VE TABİİ KAYNAKLAR BAKANLIĞI (2024), Nikel. https://enerji.gov.tr/tabii-kaynaklar-nikel
- HKEX. (2024), LME Nickel. https://www.lme.com/Metals/Non-ferrous/LME-Nickel#Summary
- IUPAC. (2005), Compendium of Chemical Terminology. https://goldbook.iupac.org/
- IEA. (2021), Minerals used in electric cars compared to conventional cars. https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/minerals-used-in-electric-cars-compared-to-conventional-cars
- IEA. (2025), Energy Act of 2020 (Critical minerals provisions), https://www.iea.org/policies/16065-energy-act-of-2020-critical-minerals-provisions
- IEA. (2023), Global EV Outlook 2023. Geo. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2023
- IEA. (2023a), Critical Minerals Market Review 2023. in Critical Minerals Market Review 2023. https://doi.org/10.1787/9cdf8f39-en
- IEA. (2023b), Energy Technology Perspectives. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a86b480e-2b03-4e25-bae1-da1395e0b620/EnergyTechnologyPerspectives2023.pdf
- IEA. (2024), Mineral requirements for clean energy transitions. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/mineral-requirements-for-clean-energy-transitions
- İSTANBUL MADEN İHRACATÇILARI BİRLİĞİ. (2019), Lityum Yataklarının Durumu, İşletmeciliği ve Geleceği. https://doi.org/10.30797/madencilik.1010286
- GENÇBAY, B., ve DİNLEN, İ. (2023), Madenci̇li̇k sektörüne ai̇t temel ekonomi̇k göstergeler 2022. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/img/TEG2022.pdf
- MCKINSEY AND COMPANY. (2024), Battery 2030: Resilient, sustainable, and circular. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/battery-2030-resilient-sustainable-and-circular
- LIU, S., ve PATTON, D. (2023), China, world’s top graphite producer, tightens exports of key battery material. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-require-export-permits-some-graphite-products-dec-1-2023-10-20/
- LV, A., ve MUNROE, T. (2024), China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/china-bans-exports-gallium-germanium-antimony-us-2024-12-03/
- MAGEM. (2024), Maden İstatistikleri. https://www.mapeg.gov.tr/Sayfa/Madenistatistik
- MILLS. R. (2023), Copper shortage getting real. Kitco. https://aheadoftheherd.com/copper-shortage-getting-real-richard-mills/
- MTA. (2024), Madenciliğin GSYH İçindeki Payı. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/bilgi-merkezi/maden-dis-ticaret
- NORNICKEL. (2021), Navigating the Transition to a Net Zero World. 69. https://www.nornickel.com/upload/iblock/27f/strategy_day_presentation_2021.pdf
- MORENHOUT, T. (2023), China’s Latest Move in the Critical Mineral and Technology Trade War. Center of Global Energy Policy at Colombia. https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/chinas-latest-move-in-the-critical-mineral-and-technology-trade-war
- OEC. (2024), Manganese Ore in TR. https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/manganese-ore/reporter/tur
- OKYAY, V. (2023), 2022 Yılı Kobalt Piyasası Değerlendirmesi. https://madencilikturkiye.com/2022-kobalt-piyasasi-degerlendirmesi/
- TALSAD. (2022), Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Aluminyum Sektör Raporu. 6. http://talsad.org.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TALSAD_Dunyada_ve_Turkiyede_Aluminyum_Sektor_Raporu_Ozet_2022.pdf
- T.C. TİCARET BAKANLIĞI. (2024), Afrika, Kıtanın İlk Kobalt Rafinerisine Sahip Olmaya Bir Adım Daha Yaklaştı. https://ticaret.gov.tr/blog/sektor-haberleri/afrika-kitanin-ilk-kobalt-rafinerisine-sahip-olmaya-bir-adim-daha-yaklasti
- TENMAK. (2025), TENMAK’ta Türkiye Enerji Depolama Teknolojileri Stratejisi ve Eylem Planı Çalıştayı Gerçekleştirildi. https://www.tenmak.gov.tr/haberler-slide/4488-tenmak-ta-turkiye-enerji-depolama-teknolojileri-stratejisi-ve-eylem-plani-calistayi-gerceklestirildi.html
- TRADING ECONOMICS. (2024), Kobalt. https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cobalt
- TURCHENIUK, K., BONDAREV, D., AMATUCCI, G. G., & YUSHIN, G. (2021), Battery materials for low-cost electric transportation. Materials Today, 42(February), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2020.09.027
- TUNCEL, S., ARI, N., YOLERİ, B., & ŞAHİNER, M. (2017), Dünyada ve Türkiye ’ Demir. https://www.mta.gov.tr/v3.0/sayfalar/bilgi-merkezi/maden-serisi/dunyada_turkiyede_demir.pdf
- U.S.G.S - GEOLOGİCAL SURVEY (2024), Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3133/mcs2024
- USA DEP. OF ENERGY (2023), Critical Materials Assessment (Issue July), https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/doe-critical-material-assessment_07312023.pdf
- VAALMA, C., BUCHHOLZ, D., WEIL, M., & Passerini, S. (2018), A cost and resource analysis of sodium-ion batteries. Nature Reviews Materials, 3. https://doi.org/10.1038/natrevmats.2018.13
- VAN BOMME, A., & DAHN, J. R. (2009), Analysis of the growth mechanism of coprecipitated spherical and dense nickel, manganese, and cobalt-containing hydroxides in the presence of aqueous ammonia. Chemistry of Materials, 21(8), 1500–1503. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm803144d
- VENDITTI, B. (2022), Visualizing China’s Dominance in Clean Energy Metals. https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-chinas-dominance-in-clean-energy-metals/
- WORLD BANK GROUP. (2017), The Growing Role of Minerals and Metals for a Low Carbon Future. 14. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/207371500386458722/pdf/117581-WP-P159838-PUBLIC-ClimateSmartMiningJuly.pdf
There are 45 citations in total.
Details
| Primary Language | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Socio-Economic Development, Development Studies (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | May 6, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 29, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 52 Issue: 1 |
