A study published by the International Energy Forum found that push towards using electric is creating a demand that current copper production cannot supply.
Implementing government mandates for electric vehicles, such as California’s goal to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, poses significant challenges and is likely to be extremely difficult to achieve.
President Joe Biden also issued an executive order to electrify the entire government fleet by the same year. However, copper is a crucial metal in electrical production, and the current demand for it necessitates producing significant quantities to meet the needs of various industries.
The advancement of electric vehicles highlights the clash between progressive ideals and practical limitations.
Challenges such as the inconvenience of locating charging stations and the higher costs of EVs compared to traditional cars underscore the complexities of transitioning to electric transportation.
A recent report questions the feasibility of meeting the demands of EV enthusiasts solely through Earth’s resources, adding to the concerns surrounding the sustainability of the EV movement.
“Just to meet business-as-usual trends, 115 percent more copper must be mined in the next 30 years than has been mined historically until now,” wrote professors Adam C. Simon and Lawrence M. Cathles.
“To electrify the global vehicle fleet requires bringing into production 55 percent more new mines than would otherwise be needed. On the other hand, hybrid electric vehicle manufacture would require negligible extra copper mining.”
“A normal Honda Accord needs about 40 pounds of copper,” Simon told Engineering and Technology. “The same battery electric Honda Accord needs almost 200 pounds of copper. We show in the paper that the amount of copper needed is essentially impossible for mining companies to produce.”
The transition to electric vehicles requires significantly more copper compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, as highlighted in a report by Engineering and Technology.
Despite challenges, the feasibility of these ambitions is questioned, with concerns raised about the sourcing of the necessary copper.
The clash between progressive ideals and practical limitations is evident in the discussion surrounding the environmental implications of increased copper production for EVs.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of hybrid vehicles as a potential solution that combines electric power and internal combustion engine efficiency, as highlighted in the copper study.
There is a call for an automotive evolution that aligns with the practicality and adaptability that marked the success of internal combustion engines in the past.
Critics argue against government mandates that enforce behavior beyond essential regulations, expressing concerns about the practicality and feasibility of the rapid shift towards electric vehicles.
