The owner of Tesla says it's a 'license to print money', and he is working on approval to start the printing process.

KTEM-AM logo
Get our free mobile app

Tesla is reportedly bringing a historic factory to Texas - the first of its kind in North America - and construction could begin by the end of this year.

New Tesla Factory in Texas

If regulatory clearance goes as planned, the new facility will be located in Nueces County, Texas, near the Gulf of Mexico, according to Energy and CapitalAs early as the fourth quarter of 2022, Tesla could begin construction of a battery-grade lithium hydroxide refinery. 

What is Lithium?

According to Live Science, lithium is a mood-altering drug as well as the lightest known metal. Lithium is an element used in drugs, aircraft, and batteries. Lithium carbonate is a common treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium-ion batteries are used as rechargeable power for laptops, phones and other digital devices.

Why Does Tesla Want Lithium?

Tesla has been considering lithium mining and refining industry for a long time. Electrek.com reports that in 2014, Tesla tried and failed to buy a lithium startup for $325 million.

Right now, the United States has one lithium mine located in Nevada, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. Currently, over 75% of all battery-grade lithium hydroxide worldwide is produced in China-owned facilities located in Chile.

The new refinery is slated to enter commercialization by the end of 2024, and at that time, Tesla will control the only local supply in North America. 

The Most Dangerous City in Texas for 2022 May Surprise You

According to FBI statistics, Texas had 438 violent crimes and 2,562 property crimes per 100,000 residents as of this year. For every 100,000 residents, there are 224 police officers statewide.

Crime rates are expressed as the number of incidents per 100,000 people.

6 Bizarre Town Names in Texas and the Stories Behind Them

There's no shortage of bizarre town names in Texas. Ding Dong, Kermit, Oatmeal, Reklaw, Pflugerville, and Zephyr: that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the oddest town monikers.

Have you ever wondered how on earth these names got on a city sign? Keep scrolling to see the history behind some of the weirdest town names in Texas.

More From KTEM-AM