Most ASX lithium stocks are rising on Thursday amid a 58% increase in the lithium carbonate price in 2026 alone.

The lithium carbonate price is US$27,528 per tonne at the time of writing.

It rose nearly 6% in the last trading session and is up 18% over the past month and 181% year over year.

Lithium carbonate is now at its highest level since 2023 amid renewed and growing long-term demand for lithium batteries.

The lithium spodumene price has also ripped from less than US$600 per tonne in June last year to US$2,752 per tonne today.

Lithium prices endured a two-year downward spiral before turning a corner in mid-2025 as supply and demand rebalanced.

The green energy transition is the key driver of new demand, while the global…