Recharge Mar26 (Sodium-Ion, Graphite AAM, China EVs, Nickel Supply, Battery Costs, VRFBs)

In March 2026's Recharge podcast, co-presenters Matt Fernley (RK Equity/Battery Materials Review) and Cormac O'Laoire (Electrios Energy) discuss key developments along the battery supply chain, including: • Sodium-ion scaling and hybrid pack strategies emerging from Battery Show Asia • Graphite AAM dynamics, including synthetic cost pressure and natural graphite upside • China EV demand weakness driven by subsidy changes and macro conditions • Indonesian nickel supply risks from HPAL exposure, quotas, and environmental constraints • Rising battery costs linked to oil, sulphur shortages, and broader supply chain inflation • VRFB competitiveness versus lithium-ion in long-duration storage, with LCOS and duration economics in focus Chapters (00:00) Intro (05:15) Sodium Market Potential (07:27) Lithium Metal Breakthroughs (09:04) Silicon-carbon Batteries (10:21) China EV Sales Weakness (13:18) Oil Prices And EV Demand (18:56) Supply Chain Cost Pressures (22:15) Graphite Market Shifts (26:38) Battery Price Impact (30:58) China BESS Market Dynamics (33:22) Indonesian Nickel Challenges (37:00) Nickel Supply Outlook (40:40) Long Duration Storage Debate (46:30) Closing Remarks Links - Read Matt's research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/ Have a question? Drop us an email: [email protected] Podcast:   Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lithium-ion-rocks/id1457969172   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KiMIZOPaDg8ENfPJMSINq X (Twitter):   Matt: https://x.com/matt_fernley _________________________________________________ DISCLAIMER   NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH Matt and Cormac are not financial advisors nor broker-dealers, this video is for information purposes only and should not be considered investment or financial advice. Please do your own independent research and read the disclaimer at the end of the video or on RK Equity's website https://www.rkequity.com