A company in southwestern Germany is researching a new way to produce lithium for batteries: extracting it from hot underground geothermal brine. The process generates renewable heat and electricity while recovering lithium, potentially using far less freshwater and creating lower emissions than conventional lithium mining. But experts warn that environmental impacts vary depending on local geology, and concerns remain about drilling, chemical processing and induced seismic activity. As demand for EV batteries and energy storage grows, geothermal lithium could become part of Europe’s effort to secure a domestic supply of this critical raw material.