Lithium’s True Inflection Point (YJ Lee)

With so much unfolding in China across the battery metalsspace, we sat down with YJ Lee at the perfect time.

YJ runs a fund focused on the energy transition and bringsdeep expertise in both metals and battery markets. In this conversation, we dig into China’s policy pivot toward anti-involution and its knock-on effects for lithium and EVs. From there we dive deep into lithium itself – covering the demand and supply outlook, the surge in BESS, why inventories are often misunderstood, and plenty more.

Follow YJ on Twitter: @usuallyYJLee

Recorded 19 August 2025.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(02:06) China's Anti-Evolution Policy Impact on Lithium Markets

(04:40) China's Competitive Market Dynamics

(14:20) Licensing in China's Lithium Industry

(20:00) The Growing Demand for EVs

(24:14) Astounding Growth in BESS

(25:17) China's Commercial Battery Economics

(27:37) Solar and Battery Integration

(28:33) LFP Dominance

(29:25) CATL and Sodium-Ion Batteries

(31:36) Lithium Market Dynamics

(40:06) Global EV Adoption Trends

(42:51) Overrated or Underrated: Quick Fire Segment

(45:40) Closing Remarks and Reflections

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