(WATCH) - Cobalt, nickel battery use rises as electric sports cars gain popularity

Despite a big drop from December’s blowout, largely due to seasonal factors, the February 2021 MINING.COM EV Metal Index, which tracks the value of battery metals in newly registered passenger EVs (including hybrids) around the world, still ranks as the fourth best month on record.

Just shy of $300 million worth of lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite hit roads in February, up 170% from the same month last year as the impact of the coronavirus only just started to ripple beyond China. For the first two months, the year on year comparison is a 240% rise to $590 million.

The total battery capacity of EVs sold during the month increased 123% year on year to close to 11.3 GWh, according to Adamas Intelligence, which tracks demand for EV batteries by chemistry, cell supplier and capacity in over 90 countries.