Tesla has made the largest and most advanced lithium refinery in the United States operational near Corpus Christi, Texas, just two years after breaking ground.
The facility is the first in North America to directly convert spodumene ore into battery-grade lithium hydroxide using a new, cleaner and more efficient process.
Tesla’s refining technology reduces costs, lowers emissions, and eliminates hazardous byproducts, producing anhydrite as a usable co-product for construction.
The refinery is a major step toward reducing U.S. dependence on China for refined lithium and strengthening domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
The project supports Tesla’s electric vehicle and battery manufacturing growth by securing long-term access to key energy storage materials.
The refinery contributes to job creation, regionalized supply chains, and reduced transportation-related emissions in the U.S. critical minerals sector.
The launch aligns with broader U.S. government efforts to secure domestically sourced critical minerals through public-private partnerships and strategic investments.
Corpus Christi, January 20, 2026 (Agencies) – Tesla has brought the largest and most advanced lithium refinery in the United States into operation, marking a major milestone in Washington’s push to reduce dependence on China for refined lithium and strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
Tesla North America and CEO Elon Musk announced this week that the Tesla Lithium Refinery, located just outside Corpus Christi, Texas, is now fully operational, barely two years after construction began. The facility is the first of its kind in North America to directly convert spodumene ore into battery-grade lithium hydroxide using a newly developed process.
In a video announcing the launch, Tesla said the refinery represents a significant step toward North American energy independence and supports the company’s long-term goals in electric vehicle and battery production. The plant is designed to secure access to key raw materials for energy storage, battery manufacturing and the continued expansion of electric vehicles.
According to Tesla, the refinery uses a cleaner and more efficient technology platform that simplifies the traditional lithium refining process. Spodumene ore is sustainably sourced and transported to the site, where it passes through a series of conveyance systems, a kiln and cooling phase, followed by alkaline leaching, purification and crystallization to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
Jason Bevan, site manager for Tesla’s Gulf Coast Lithium Refinery, said the process is cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable than conventional methods. Tesla added that unlike traditional refining, its process eliminates hazardous byproducts and instead produces anhydrite, a co-product that can be used in concrete mixes.
The company said the refinery will help regionalize supply chains for battery minerals and materials, cut emissions associated with long-distance transportation, and create jobs in the U.S. critical minerals sector. Tesla described the project as a key contributor to reducing America’s reliance on foreign sources of refined lithium, particularly China, which currently dominates the global market.
The refinery comes amid broader efforts by the United States to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals used in battery technology, defense and advanced manufacturing. In recent years, the federal government has increased its direct involvement in the sector through investments and partnerships aimed at boosting North American mining and refining capacity.
Under the Trump administration, the Departments of Defense and Energy have taken minority equity stakes in several lithium producers and refiners to ensure long-term access to domestic supplies. One of the most significant initiatives includes a $2.26 billion loan from the Department of Energy to Lithium Americas Corp to support development of the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, expected to become the largest lithium supply project in the Western Hemisphere.
Industry analysts say Tesla’s refinery is one of the first major operational projects to translate U.S. policy ambitions into concrete industrial capacity. The facility is expected to play a critical role in strengthening America’s battery supply chain, supporting electric vehicle growth and narrowing the gap with China in refined lithium production.