An article appeared on the BBC website last week that I couldn’t help but read since EVs are a big interest of mine.
And there is simply not enough copper to deliver more than 15% of what’s needed until billions are spent to find and develop those resources.
Yes, the copper problem is serious.
It will massively limit development away from ICE.
A traditional metric was a standard ICE vehicle needs 20kg of copper, a hybrid 40kg but and electric 80-120kg.
Multiple that by 50m vehicles per year with an average life of circa 15-17 years and annual copper production simply cannot cope.
And there is simply not enough copper to deliver more than 15% of what’s needed until billions are spent to find and develop those resources.
Yes, the copper problem is serious.
It will massively limit development away from ICE.
A traditional metric was a standard ICE vehicle needs 20kg of copper, a hybrid 40kg but and electric 80-120kg.
Multiple that by 50m vehicles per year with an average life of circa 15-17 years and annual copper production simply cannot cope.