Benjamin Roche
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Articles by Benjamin Roche
Global EV sales reach 2.15 million units in September 2026
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, specialising in EV and battery supply chain research and insights, reports that 2.15 million electric vehicles (EVs) were sold globally in September 2026, bringing year-to-date (YTD) 2026 EV sales to 15.5 million. In September 2026, EV sales increased by 17% month-on-month and decreased by -2% year-on-year.
Leveraging spatial structure to design spatially-targeted malaria interventions at the community-scale
Loading metrics Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article ? This is an uncorrected proof. Citation: Evans MV, Roche B, Herbreteau V, Révillion C, Catry T, Bonds MH, et al. (2026) Leveraging spatial structure to design spatially-targeted malaria interventions at the community-scale. PLoS Comput Biol 22(10): e1014857. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1014857 Editor: Chadi M.
Upstream and downstream policy push: Europe Regional Spotlight
12th October 2026 7 min read Reported By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Edited By Matthew Bird Senior Editor - Supply Chains & Data Visualisation AnodeBatteriesCathodeCobaltCopperCritical MineralsESSEVGeopoliticsBattery & GigafactoryGraphiteLithiumManganeseNatural GraphiteNickelRare EarthsRaw MaterialsSynthetic Graphite Compared with China and the US, Europe’s upstream and downstream footprint in the global battery supply chain footprint is small.
UK considering alignment with EU over tariff on Chinese EVs
9th October 2026 3 min read Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains 9th October 2026 3 min read Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains While countries including the US, Turkey, and Mexico have been ramping up tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) made in China, EV imports from China into the UK have continued to face a standard 10% import duty. The UK’s largest trading partner, the EU, introduced tariffs on China-made BEVs in 2024.
Can Cobre Panama copper mine run for 25 years without growing?
A commission convened by Panama’s government to decide how to manage the country’s controversial Cobre Panama copper mine has recommended 25 years of operation but without expanding the site’s physical footprint. The mine, run by First Quantum Minerals, was closed in 2023 after it was ruled unconstitutional following protests against its operation.
Rangebound trading persists as firm costs offset muted battery demand: Manganese Sulphate Q3 2026 Price Review
Benchmark’s Manganese Sulphate (32%) EXW China prices moved within a tight band through Q3 2026. This followed a Q1 surge driven by high sulphuric acid prices and the cancellation of export tax rebates on NCM precursors and cathode materials, and a small Q2 correction as off-season downstream operating rates slowed and idled capacity restarted. Manganese sulphate ended Q3 at RMB 7,116/tonne ($1,060/tonne), up 1.1% from the end of Q2.
Hydroxide standoff and broad decline: Q3 2026 Cobalt Price Review
30th September 2026 3 min read Reported By George Ingall Senior Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CobaltCritical MineralsRaw MaterialsRecycling Increased DRC exports led to cobalt hydroxide prices (CIF Asia) falling 31% to across Q3 to $17.25/lb ($38,030/tonne), while cobalt sulphate prices (EXW China) dropped nearly 30% to RMB 58,000/tonne ($8,642), according to Benchmark’s Cobalt Price Assessment.
Mid-year production quotas and underwhelming NCM demand weaken market fundamentals: Q3 2026 Nickel Price Review
The strength of nickel prices seen in Q2 reversed this quarter amidst softening demand and the resumption of nickel exports from the DRC. Benchmark's data shows that nickel sulphate prices (EXW China) fell 13% since the end of Q2 to RMB 28,500/tonne ($4,247) as of 23 September. During the same period, aggregate CIF Asia MHP prices declined 17.3% whilst metal prices (EXW Europe) fell 9.5%.
Export interventions and payables under pressure: Q3 2026 Black Mass Price Review
Benchmark’s NCM Black Mass EXW China payables have fallen 4.9% since the end of Q2, from 77.0% to 73.3%. Benchmark’s LCO Black Mass EXW China payables fell even more sharply, down 7.5% and 13.2% quarter-on-quarter for lithium carbonate and cobalt sulphate respectively, reaching 70.8% for both. Benchmark NCM Black Mass CIF Asia payables fell 10.4% q-o-q, from 120% to 107.5%, while Benchmark NCM Black Mass EXW North America and EXW Europe payables have dropped 13.6% and 8.3% respectively.
Ex-China heavy rare earths continue to surge: Q3 2026 Rare Earths Price Review
25th September 2026 4 min read Reported By George Ingall Senior Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Rare EarthsCritical MineralsRaw MaterialsGeopolitics Light and heavy rare earth prices diverged sharply for much of Q3 2026.
Feedstock costs rise but AAM prices hold firm: Anode and Graphite Q3 2026 Price Review
The divergence between natural and synthetic anode active material (AAM) prices observed earlier in the year stopped widening in Q3, with prices across both chemistries and all capacities remaining flat from mid-June- to mid-September. However, this midstream stability contrasted with continued movement in the feedstock markets during the same period, notably for coke materials, with pre-calcined pet coke prices rising 6.5% across July and August.
Uranium volumes in exported DRC cobalt less than 1% of global supply, Benchmark analysis suggests
17th September 2026 4 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Critical MineralsRaw MaterialsCobalt Uranium contained in DRC cobalt, in which it naturally occurs as a trace element in the copperbelt region, travels unrecorded through processing and export, as the country has no formal testing infrastructure in place. Other regions, such as Australia, deliberately recover uranium as a byproduct of copper mining.
Slow sulphate plant construction complicating Zimbabwe export licence decision
16th September 2026 4 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains LithiumCritical MineralsRaw Materials World-Leading Lithium Intelligence Facility-level supply forecasts to 2040, IOSCO-assured prices, ESG benchmarking, and monthly Inventory Tracker.
Plans to artificially dim the sun have divided scientists—here's what they're actually arguing about
Neither geoengineering nor mind control chemicals. Credit: Brigitte Elsner / unsplash, CC BY-SA No, President Joe Biden did not engineer Hurricane Milton. No, the ice crystal contrails left behind by high-altitude aircraft are not "chemtrails" sprayed by governments to control the weather or manipulate populations. No, state-run cloud seeding did not cause the record floods in Dubai. Yet claims like these are widespread online and increasingly find their way into political rhetoric.
Scientists are divided over plans to artificially dim the sun – here’s what they’re actually arguing about Original
No, President Joe Biden did not engineer Hurricane Milton. No, the ice-crystal contrails left behind high-altitude aircraft are not “chemtrails” sprayed by governments to control the weather or manipulate populations. No, state-run cloud seeding did not cause the record floods in Dubai. Yet claims like these are widespread online and increasingly find their way into political rhetoric.
Uranium market entering a structural deficit as new demand drivers meet supply shortfall
15th September 2026 4 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the uranium market and price environment remained muted, as reactor shutdowns vaporised demand faster than mine supply could adjust. Now, however, the uranium market is entering a structural deficit, as assessed by Benchmark's Uranium Service. The market is already in a marginal deficit for 2026.
China to expand new cell capacity approvals pause to EV
11th September 2026 2 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains BatteriesESSEVBattery & GigafactoryPortables 11th September 2026 2 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains BatteriesESSEVBattery & GigafactoryPortables Plans to halt approvals for new Chinese cell capacity for 2026 have been confirmed and expanded to include production of cells for EV applications as well as for battery energy stationary...
More than $60 billion in capex required to meet 2040 lithium demand, Benchmark analysis finds
4th September 2026 3 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains LithiumRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals Operating lithium supply will need to expand by over three million tonnes LCE to meet expected 2040 base demand, according to analysis in Benchmark’s new Capex Briefing. It is a gap that is forecast to require USD ~$64 billion in capital spending to close, as demand for the mineral continues to expand at 7.3% CAGR under Benchmark’s base demand view.
White House Executive Order restricts import of certain BESS systems and other energy equipment
2nd September 2026 3 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains ESSBattery TechnologyGeopoliticsBatteries A White House Executive Order (EO), published on 26 August, has declared a national emergency, citing national security risks relating to hardware and software in the US power system made overseas. This new measure, EO 14420 is the second attempt to put such a measure into place after the previous Trump administration’s EO 13920 in 2020.
If the EU is serious about One Health, it must ban fur farming
The One Health approach, which recognises the fundamental interconnectedness of human wellbeing with that of other animals and the environment, is a keystone of the European Union’s health policy.1 While the prevention of zoonotic diseases, including pandemics, is a core objective of this policy, the European Commission paradoxically seems reluctant to take decisive action to address one of the highest risk sources within its borders precisely at the moment when it finally can do so.
US automakers dial back North American battery manufacturing investments, ceding control to South Korean partners
26th August 2026 3 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains In early August, US auto giant General Motors (GM) announced it was relinquishing its 49.9% stake in SynergyCells, a JV with Samsung SDI, and as such its stake in the under-construction cell plant in Indiana, US.
Cobalt dominance, lithium growth, graphite heavyweight: Africa Regional Spotlight
25th August 2026 6 min read Reported By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Edited By Matthew Bird Senior Editor - Supply Chains & Data Visualisation AnodeBatteriesCathodeCobaltCopperCritical MineralsESSEVGeopoliticsBattery & GigafactoryGraphiteLithiumManganeseNatural GraphiteRaw Materials 25th August 2026 6 min read Reported By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Edited By Matthew Bird Senior Editor - Supply Chains & Data Visualisation...
View from the ground in Qinghai: Why recovery breakthroughs aren't lifting lithium output
24th August 2026 2 min read Reported By Zoey Zuo Senior Analyst - Lithium And Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains LithiumRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals Producers in Qinghai's Qaidam Basin have sharply lifted how much lithium they recover from brine, yet the province's output is not increasing as a result. The disconnect points to feedstock and water, rather than technology, as the real bottlenecks on China's largest lithium-brine region.
Ex-China NdPr prices slip below $110/kg price floor as oversupply builds
21st August 2026 3 min read Reported By George Ingall Senior Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Rare EarthsCritical MineralsRaw Materials 21st August 2026 3 min read Reported By George Ingall Senior Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Rare EarthsCritical MineralsRaw Materials NdPr oxide prices have fallen below a key psychological and...
Cobalt hydroxide market stuck in wide bid-offer spread as sellers reject sub-$20 bids
19th August 2026 3 min read Reported By George Ingall Senior Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains 19th August 2026 3 min read Reported By George Ingall Senior Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Cobalt hydroxide prices (CIF Asia) have fallen sharply over recent weeks, though the shift reflects a wide and largely untested spread between bids...
UK government remains firm on 2035 zero emission vehicle targets but mulling softer pathway
14th August 2026 3 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains 14th August 2026 3 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains The UK government has today launched its consultation on the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which provides headline target values for ZEV sales for each manufacturer in the UK, culminating in a 100% ZEV target by 2035.
Benchmark at International Seabed Authority meeting as global commercial framework remained unresolved
14th August 2026 3 min read Reported By Bryan Bille Lead Analyst - Government Policy Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CopperManganeseNickelCobalt Bryan Bille, Benchmark's lead policy and geopolitical analyst, attended Part II of the International Seabed Authority's (ISA) 31st session in Kingston, Jamaica, from 23–29 July.
Winter storm disruption at Argentina’s Hombre Muerto lithium brine site may mean changes to permitting regime
12th August 2026 3 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains LithiumCritical MineralsRaw Materials The worst winter storm in Argentina’s Puna region for years has cut land access to one of the country’s largest brine lithium salars, Hombre Muerto, from 19–27 July, where the road opened only for 4x4 vehicles.
Lithium Price Watch: What the Forward Curve Is Telling Buyers Right Now
11th August 2026 11 min read Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains BMI's latest lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide and spodumene data shows where price risk is concentrated across the next 12 months, and what that means for procurement, offtake and hedging decisions.
Record low copper treatment charges supported by alternative smelter revenues
10th August 2026 2 min read Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CopperRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals Copper smelter treatment charges (TCs), the charge levied by smelters to process copper concentrates, have hit record lows in recent weeks as a result of years of smelter overcapacity, particularly in China. As of 7th August, copper TCs were at -$173/tonne.
Phosphoric acid prices included in cathode price negotiations amidst strained sulphur supply
6th August 2026 3 min read Reported By Ellie Wang Senior Analyst - Battery Chemicals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CathodePhosphateRaw MaterialsCritical MineralsGeopolitics Some Chinese Tier 1 battery producers have started including purified phosphoric acid (PPA) in their cathode active material (CAM) price negotiation formulae, as supply deficits of the input have led to soaring prices, Benchmark understands.
US replaces expiring tariffs with new forced-labour duties on 60 countries
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains The US has replaced its temporary 10% global tariff with a new Section 301 duty tied to a forced-labour investigation, covering 60 trading partners including Canada, Mexico, India and the UK. The measure took effect at 12:01am ET on 24 July 2026, as the prior Section 122 tariff – put in place after the Supreme Court ruled the administration could not impose duties by declaring a national emergency – expired.
Ford and Geely partner on European EV production
Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Geely electric vehicles (EVs) will begin production at Ford’s facility in Valencia, Spain, in 2028. The two automotive brands have formed a Europe-focused joint venture that seeks to revitalise Valencia amid growing cost pressures and competition. The new partnership will manufacture two electric Geely SUVs as well as a new multi-powertrain Ford crossover.
Continued rally before reversal: Q2 2026 Lithium Price Review
Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Raw MaterialsCritical MineralsLithiumEVESS Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Raw MaterialsCritical MineralsLithiumEVESS The second quarter of 2026 began with a straightforward continuation of Q1's rally before turning to an uneven reversal.
Site visit: Sigma’s Grota do Cirilo lithium mine operating at capacity following restructuring
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains LithiumCritical MineralsRaw Materials Spodumene concentrate 5% stockpile. The visit showed active trucking activity both at the mine site and transport to port. Benchmark’s July visit to Sigma Lithium's Grota do Cirilo operation in Minas Gerais, Brazil, came just before the company reported its strongest operating quarter in over a year.
China’s finance ministry announces end to domestic lithium ion tax exemption, with likely boost for sodium ion
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains On 17 July, China’s finance ministry announced legislation ending eleven years of tax exemptions for the lithium ion battery industry. This is an effort to curtail overcapacity in the industry that is also likely to offer its growing sodium ion battery industry a comparative boost, as it will retain these exemptions.
EU Electrification Action Plan targets 46% electrification by 2040 and BESS buildout
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains ESSEVBatteriesGeopolitics The European Commission is aiming to make Europe the world’s first ‘electro-powered continent’ though its Electrification Action Plan and revised Emissions Trading System (ETS) announced 17 July.
A third of global nickel supply to be under Indonesian state export control
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains NickelRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals Indonesia has placed ferronickel exports under its new single-gate system, aiming to better support closer price oversight, tax collection, and retention of export proceeds. Indonesia first introduced centralised export controls for strategic commodities on 1 June 2026.
Supply squeeze and elevated raw material costs lift prices: Nickel Q2 2026 Price Review
Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains NickelCritical MineralsRaw Materials Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains NickelCritical MineralsRaw Materials The nickel market experienced a mixed second quarter in 2026, as supply-side constraints supported intermediate prices while weaker LME nickel prices and cautious downstream demand limited further gains.
Google to purchase 100% of output from the US’s largest under-construction BESS
Google has announced it will purchase all the power generated from the first two phases of Cypress Creek's Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas. The project comprises 1.6GW of solar paired with 1.9GWh of battery storage, with a potential third phase raising storage to 2.9GWh by 2029.
Upstream volatility continues to shape cathode pricing: Cathode Q2 2026 Price Review
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CathodeLithiumNickelRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals The cathode active material (CAM) market experienced notable price volatility throughout the Q2 assessment period. Prices increased during the early part of the quarter as lithium and other feedstock costs rose amid strong electric vehicle, export and energy storage demand.
From cautiously bullish to downward pressure: Q2 Cobalt Price Review
Reported By George Ingall Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CobaltRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals Reported By George Ingall Price Analyst - Rare Earths & Battery Minerals Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CobaltRaw MaterialsCritical Minerals In Q2 2026, cobalt prices have been characterised by growing downward pressure, as the supply-side support that defined Q1 proved insufficient to...
Volkswagen explores restructuring amidst European autoproduction overcapacity
Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains VW Group plans to halve its model lineup as part of an upcoming restructure where it aims to cut costs by 20% and to keep the group competitive in a shifting automotive industry. Although an initial proposal to close production facilities as part of the restructure was rejected by the board, it has been reported that four facilities in Germany remain under consideration for closure due to high costs.
View from the ground: January concentrate export ban deadline looms over Zimbabwe’s 2026 annual mining conference Original
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Critical MineralsRaw MaterialsLithium Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Critical MineralsRaw MaterialsLithium Tensions between lithium miners in Zimbabwe and the country’s government, which plans to introduce a ban on concentrate exports in January 2027, dominated conversations at the recent Zimbabwe Chamber of Mine’s Annual Mining Conference (17–20 June).
Funding before a permit: how quickly can Chilean lithium project Black Giant get online?
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Critical MineralsRaw MaterialsLithium Image credit: EnergyX US direct lithium extraction (DLE) firm EnergyX has closed ~US$1bn of financing for Project Black Giant, a 52,500tpa lithium carbonate development at Salar de Punta Negra, without a Contrato Especial de Operación de Litio (CEOL), the licence required to operate.
NovAndino's 470,000 tonne Salar Futuro lithium ambition could be limited by regulation
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains LithiumCritical MineralsRaw Materials Chilean lithium project Salar Futuros’ recent filing reveals an annual capacity ambition of 470,000 tonnes LCE, but it is likely to face regulatory challenges in meeting this target.
Cobalt, copper and controls: DRC Regional Spotlight
Reported By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains And Bryan Bille Lead Analyst - Government Policy Edited By Matthew Bird Senior Editor - Supply Chains & Data Visualisation CobaltCopperCritical MineralsRaw MaterialsLithiumGeopolitics The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the world’s leading supplier of mined cobalt, supplying three quarters of 2025 cobalt, and is the second largest supplier of mined copper, supplying 15% in 2025.
Copper group Antofagasta agrees spot index-linked sales of copper concentrates
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains CopperCritical MineralsRaw Materials Chilean copper mining group Antofagasta has, according to reports, settled a spot index-linked sale of copper concentrates. This is unusual, as Antofagasta ordinarily sell at set levels rather than floating, spot-linked sales.
Polestar to be banned from US market under Connected Vehicle Rule
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Polestar is to exit the US market after the US Department of Commerce said it would not grant the majority-Chinese-owned, Sweden-based company authorisation to sell its vehicles in the country. Only 6% of its retail sales came from the US in Q1 2026, the company has said.
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for New Energy System Development: Key Takeaways
Reported By Edited By Benjamin Roche Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains ESSEVNew EnergyBatteriesBattery Technology China’s government has released its latest Five-Year Plan for New Energy System Development, setting out a range of new 2030 targets for its energy markets, including storage, generation and consumption. “The plan sets conservative and in-line new energy targets, serving more as a policy floor rather than a strict ceiling,” said Calvin Xu, a BESS analyst at Benchmark.
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