And some of them at least are going to use cobalt.

They usually use cobalt-60 as a radioactive source, although some versions use a compound of cesium-137, cesium chloride.

Tesla's desire to shift away from cobalt usage seemed to be borne out by the revelation its new Chinese plant would use cobalt-free batteries.

The batteries, like those in the Tesla Roadster and Model S automobiles and aboard SpaceX rockets, use cobalt oxide chemistry for maximum power density.

Peter said, "But using cobalt, she couldn't follow up and take Shanghai."

Demand for electric vehicles, using cobalt in batteries, could spark a deficit of cobalt as soon as 2022, he said.

Use cobalt, I mean?

But it's also clear from the Glencore deal that Tesla, however reluctantly, is going to continue using cobalt in other markets.