Abstract:With the rapid growth of demand for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, China, the United States, and the European Union have classified them as critical minerals. This study investigates the rise of China’s and the global electric vehicle industry in relation to the demand for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, forecasts the potential for recycling these metals, and evaluates the challenges to resource security of these metals faced by China. The findings underscore the necessity of enhancing international collaboration in mineral extraction abroad and enhancing capabilities to safeguard overseas assets and equity. The study advocates for expediting the establishment of an electric vehicle battery recycling infrastructure. The aim of establishing such a battery recycling network and monitoring system is to ensure a secure supply of lithium, cobalt, and nickel metals in China, thereby offering substantial support in achieving the objectives of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”.