I wasn't referring to lithium, but to rare earth metals which are apparently essential for battery cars and windmills. Look at which country controls much of them.
Yes, the human world has been dependent on fossil fuels since the early 20th century, and they allowed us to progress beyond horse, steam and wind power. I for one am grateful that they gave me a far, far better life than my ancestors ever had.
Also, IMO battery cars are a dead end in the way that Beta VCRs were. Hydrogen and nuclear IMO are far better options in our current state of technology than battery cars and windmills.