Lucid Secures U.S. Natural Graphite Supply from Graphite One and Syrah Resources to Localize EV Battery Anode Production
Key Insights
Lucid Group has signed multi-year agreements with Graphite One and Syrah Resources to secure domestic natural graphite for its EV battery anodes.
The partnerships aim to localize Lucid's critical material supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources and enhancing supply chain resilience.
Graphite One will supply natural graphite from Alaska starting in 2028, complementing a prior synthetic graphite agreement from Ohio.
Syrah Resources will provide natural graphite active anode material from its Louisiana facility to Lucid or its battery suppliers beginning in 2026.
Lucid Group has significantly advanced its domestic supply chain strategy for electric vehicle batteries, announcing multi-year agreements with Graphite One and Syrah Resources for U.S.-sourced natural graphite. This strategic move underscores Lucid's commitment to localizing its critical material procurement, aiming to bolster supply chain resilience and mitigate geopolitical risks associated with foreign dependencies. The partnerships are designed to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of graphite, a fundamental component in lithium-ion battery anodes crucial for fast-charging capabilities and extended EV range.
Under the terms of the agreement, Graphite One will commence supplying natural graphite to Lucid and its battery cell partners starting in 2028. This material will be extracted from Graphite One's Graphite Creek deposit located near Nome, Alaska, representing a significant step towards establishing a fully domestic natural graphite supply. This new pact builds upon an existing 2024 agreement wherein Graphite One committed to providing synthetic graphite from its proposed facility in Warren, Ohio, further diversifying Lucid's U.S.-based graphite sources. Marc Winterhoff, Interim CEO at Lucid, emphasized the broader implications, stating, "A supply chain of critical materials within the United States drives our nation’s economy, increases our independence against outside factors or market dynamics, and supports our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our vehicles."
In a parallel development, Lucid has also finalized a separate supply agreement with Syrah Resources for natural graphite active anode material (AAM). Commencing in 2026, Syrah will supply AAM from its Vidalia, Louisiana, facility over a three-year term, collaborating directly with Lucid or its designated battery suppliers to meet procurement needs. This dual-pronged approach with Graphite One and Syrah Resources positions Lucid to establish a robust and geographically diverse domestic graphite supply chain, critical for scaling EV production and enhancing battery performance. Anthony Huston, CEO of Graphite One, highlighted the historical significance of these agreements, noting, "We’re continuing to make history now as we build momentum for our efforts to develop a fully domestic graphite supply chain. We can meet market demands and strengthen U.S. industry and national defense." These agreements reflect a broader industry trend towards securing localized raw material supplies to de-risk manufacturing and support national energy independence objectives.