MEXICO CITY, May 14 (Reuters) - Chinese carmaker BYD Co

has postponed plans to produce lithium cathodes for

electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Chile by 2025, the firm's

Americas head told Reuters on Tuesday.

Chile's economic development agency CORFO last year said

production at a new plant to be developed by BYD was expected to

begin around the end of 2025, representing a $290 million

investment in the world's second-largest lithium-producing

country.

BYD Chief of Americas Stella Li said she was unsure when the

company would resume its plans, citing uncertainty and

complications around the project, which would make components

needed for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

"That plan has been postponed because there is a lot of

uncertainty," Li said in an interview at a launch event in

Mexico City for a hybrid-electric pickup truck. She did not

elaborate.

When asked by Reuters about Li's comments, CORFO said it was

getting in touch with BYD to request more information, and that

the company had met government milestones in its selection for

preferential pricing on battery-grade lithium carbonate.

BYD, known for its low-cost EVs, produces many automotive

components and systems for EVs on its own. The cathode is the

most expensive element of an EV battery cell, and can be made of

either lithium iron phosphate (LFP), or nickel cobalt manganese.

The BYD plant, planned for the northern region of

Antofagasta, was expected to produce 50,000 metric tons per year

of LFP for cathodes, according to CORFO.