Lithium demand forecast to double by 2030, driving third major price cycle

UBS has raised its lithium price forecasts by 74% due to strong structural demand and a lagging supply response. The bank expects global lithium demand to rise 14% in 2026 and 16% in 2027, driven by a rebound in EV sales and accelerating investment in battery energy storage systems, especially in China. Demand is forecast to double by the end of the decade to 3.4 million tonnes.