The price of lithium batteries is dropping as demand for electric vehicles continues to fall. The price of the commodity is down more than 30 percent in 2023, ending a two-year rally that pushed the price of the key battery material to new heights. In addition, prices for other metals that go into batteries, such as cobalt and nickel, are also sliding. The reversal comes as electric auto makers such as Tesla and Ford cut vehicle prices to attract more customers.
Consumers are expected to use “buy now, pay later” payment plans heavily this holiday season, a forecast that bodes well for retailers but that has credit experts again sounding alarm bells.
