Lithium, needed in batteries for car, home, industry? Hard to get? How about using salt!

 Industry must always have substitutes for a popular alkali metal.  It's in heavy demand, usually.  So if not available, scientists are hoping to turn to salt as a substitute.

And salt is in abundance, not just in China, importantly.

Incidentally, lithium batteries also use nickel, another ingredient in short supply worldwide.  Sodium batteries rely on electrodes of iron and manganese and are cheaper.   

My thought.