lvl1developer t1_j8qhtyq wrote on February 16, 2023 at 5:30 AM

Question.

Will supply keep up with demand? or will there eventually be a supply shortages on raw materials for EV car? Ie: lithium, cobalt, nickel

Also please consider, when answering, that EV cars that are already sold will eventually need to get their batteries replaced. I understand that recycling will help contribute. But demand seems pretty high

EIEIO_OU812 t1_j8qt0mw wrote on February 16, 2023 at 7:45 AM

Yes, lithium supply is a definite issue. Not only that, many of the metals don't significantly occur in the US.

Not only that, rising electricity prices in some parts of the US Northeast have currently made EVs more costly per mile to operate than ICEs. As solar and wind proliferate, this will drive electricity costs even higher.

lvl1developer t1_j8ubnhv wrote on February 17, 2023 at 12:16 AM

So we basically need good relations with South Africa and Taiwan to supply us for EV cars… because those two areas control a large portion of said resources

EIEIO_OU812 t1_j93nutj wrote on February 19, 2023 at 12:14 AM

Moreso Congo (cobalt) and China (rare earth metals).

US has them too, but ironically the greens in favor of EVs won't allow expanded mining necessary.

lvl1developer t1_j8uc2iu wrote on February 17, 2023 at 12:19 AM

Bloomberg said more than half of produced cars will be EV by 2030. Does that seem realistic?

EIEIO_OU812 t1_j93okj2 wrote on February 19, 2023 at 12:20 AM

In the US that's laughable. In more densely populated, smaller and totalitarian countries it might be possible.

But with soaring electricity costs due to green conversion, it won't be cheaper. Problem is solar delivers only 25% of installed capacity and wind only 35%.