Photos: Inside Tesla’s new Texas refinery turning rock into EV battery lithium

Tesla has officially commenced production at its new lithium refinery near Corpus Christi, Texas, marking a significant milestone in North America’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The facility, which reached full startup in 2025 after just two years from groundbreaking, is designed specifically to process spodumene, a hard rock lithium mineral, into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Unlike traditional lithium refineries that rely on acid-based methods, Tesla’s plant uses a cleaner, acid-free process involving high-temperature kilns, alkaline leaching, and multiple purification steps, resulting in inert and stable byproducts rather than hazardous waste. The refinery’s innovative approach also turns byproducts into useful materials such as analcime, sand, and limestone, which can be used in concrete mixes, thereby reducing waste and emissions. With an expected output capable of supporting about 50 gigawatt hours of batteries annually—enough lithium for roughly one million EVs—this facility is the largest lithium processing plant in North America. Tesla views