Nickel: The Silent Metal Powering India EV and Steel Revolution

Exam-Focused Points

• Chemical symbol of nickel:  Ni. Atomic number: 28.

• Nickel belongs to:  Transition metals, group 10, period 4.

• Appearance:  Silvery-white, shiny.

• Fifth-most common element on Earth.

• Found in:  Laterite deposits, soil, water, meteorites.

• India’s major nickel reserves:  Sukinda region, Odisha (lateritic nickel ore).

• World’s top nickel reserves:  Indonesia (22%), Australia (21%), Brazil (17%), Russia (7%), Cuba (6%), Philippines (5%).

• Key properties:  Ductile, tough, corrosion-resistant, magnetic, good conductor.

• Biggest use:  Alloying agent for stainless steel (with chromium).

• Other uses:  EV batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, electroplating.

• Current issue:  Rising nickel prices and supply uncertainty due to West Asia war.

• India’s import dependence:  High; imports from Indonesia, Australia, Russia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What type of nickel ore is found in Sukinda, Odisha?
A: Lateritic nickel ore. Sukinda is one of India’s largest laterite deposits.

Q2: Which country has the largest nickel reserves in the world?
A: Indonesia, with about 22% of global reserves. Australia and Brazil are next.

Q3: Why is nickel important for electric vehicles?
A: Nickel is used in batteries for electric vehicles. It helps increase energy density and range. Nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries both use nickel.

Q4: Why are nickel prices rising in 2026?
A: The West Asia war has disrupted supply routes. Shipping costs are higher. Russia faces sanctions. Indonesia has export restrictions. All these factors push prices up.

Q5: What is the most common use of nickel?
A: The biggest use is in making stainless steel. Nickel is added to chromium and steel to produce rust-resistant stainless steel.