VW–Scooby Doo Fantasy Crossover, LA Auto Show, & Fair Trade Copper (CleanTech Talk 42)
Episode #42 of Cleantech Talk is here! This episode covers my LA Auto Show-inspired VW-Scooby Doo fantasy crossover and “Fair Trade” Copper.
cobalt
EV Battery Raw Material Shortages To Limit EV Market Growth? (Germany’s Largest Auto Association Warns…
A possible electric vehicle battery raw material shortage could limit the planned growth of the sector over the coming years, an exec at Germany’s largest auto industry association, BDI, has been quoted as saying.
The warning from BDI’s head of security and raw materials, Matthias Wachter, posits that demand for electric vehicles is growing faster than production capacity and thus that raw material bottlenecks may emerge relatively soon owing to resource market realities.
Coalition Of Auto Manufacturers Pledges To Source EV Minerals “Ethically”
A new coalition of top auto manufacturers has publicly pledged to maintain a high degree of adherence to ethical standards when sourcing the minerals and raw materials that will be needed to fuel a surge in electric vehicle production figures, according to reports.
As Cobalt Supply Tightens, LiCo Energy Metals Announces Two New Cobalt Mines
Electric vehicles are widely expected to become the dominant form of personal transportation as cities and countries around the world look to complete bans of new internal combustion vehicle sales in the coming years.
Shifting the world to this new technology is disrupting the entire automotive industry and gives hope that the world just might have a chance when it comes to combatting climate change and shifting to new, zero-emission technologies like electric cars.
South Korea To Boost Metals Stockpiles In Anticipation Of EV Boom
Inventories of non-ferrous metals may be boosted significantly in South Korea beginning next year, owing to the expectation of fast growing demand for electric vehicles, the country’s Public Procurement Service (PPS) has revealed.
Cobalt, Ontario (Mining Ghost Town) May Be Brought To Life Thanks To EV Batteries
Ever since the release of The Economist’s video about the coming electric car age and 2018 being a tipping point, I’m more interested in cobalt and have read about the problems with cobalt mining. We all want particulate-free fresh air and zero CO2 emissions. It’s time to lose the tailpipe and get up to date with battery-powered cars. The driving force is technological progress with batteries. “The good news is that technology will march on regardless. Batteries will get better, cheaper, and more abundant. Samsung SDI, LG Chem, Panasonic, SK Innovation, Kreisel, and other will keep improving EV batteries to win more deals, and the EV market will improve and grow, as it has been.” But what will these batteries be made of, and where will we get the resources/materials?
The Economist: Global Tipping Point For Electric Cars In 2018 (Video)
The Economist has an interesting and informative new video up: “Electric cars will come of age in 2018.” The Economist supports that view that the global tipping point for electric cars may well be 2018 based on information regular CleanTechnica readers know well, but it’s great to see such communication in the mass media.
Report: EV Manufacturers Must Be Careful As Demand Grows To Retain “Clean” Label
While China is currently the key supplier for many of the components (~86%) found in automotive lithium-ion batteries, as electric vehicle production and sales pick up, this reality will be changing — potentially leading auto manufacturers to ultimately source from disreputable companies and countries involved in environmental destruction and/or human rights abuses (slavery, etc.). That’s according to a new report from the UK-based risk analysis firm Verisk Maplecroft.
Shifting A Giant — Volkswagen’s Progress & Potential Pitfalls From 830,000 Gasmobiles/Month To Electric Heaven
More or less, this story could be about Daimler, BMW, Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, or any other major automaker. In fact, while this article was in the works, a couple of Daimler execs came out and admitted a couple of the core challenges in a rather direct way. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne did the same a year and a half ago in his own dramatic style. But the complexity of the story means that it’s not a black and white issue and it also goes far beyond the statements referenced above.
Researchers Announce Sustainable Metals Processing, Electrodes From Scrap Metal
Researchers in Canada and China have discovered new ways to make sustainable metals and reclaim scrap metal for battery electrodes.
