May 2 (Reuters) - Albemarle, the world's largest

producer of lithium for electric vehicle batteries, could look

at reducing capital expenditure in the coming years if lithium

prices remain flat, the company said on Thursday.

Executives at the North Carolina-based company spoke in a

call with analysts a day after reporting first quarter revenue

was down 47% year-on-year due to lower lithium prices tied to a

slowdown in the growth of global EV sales.

Albemarle maintained its outlook for the year, in which

it plans to spend between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion in

capital expenditures, but said it may trim that amount in the

future.

"If prices stayed where they were today, you'd see us

ramping capex down. It would take a little bit of time," said

CEO Kent Masters.

He noted that the company needs to spend at least $1

billion a year to maintain its assets, and that he expected

spending to remain above that level in 2025.

Albemarle pointed to higher EV sales in China in April,

including at major automaker BYD, as a positive sign

for lithium prices, but cautioned that current pricing would

limit new projects from getting off the ground.

"You'll see new projects that are planned coming off and

struggling to get capital if we stay at prices like they are,"

Masters said.