Researchers Warn The EV Transition Needs Too Much Nasty Lithium. That’s Not How Transitions Work

If that should happen, the most likely result is that we would find much more lithium and find better and cheaper and cleaner ways to extract it — or we would find different battery formulations that don’t use lithium. While it is true that there is no metal lighter than lithium, and low weight is essential for car batteries, there are many promising approaches in the lab already, including the use of lithium’s cousin, sodium.

But this reversal of the typical economist’s rule is not just true for pure technologies like transistors. We saw it happen with oil and gas. After non-futurist economists predicted “peak oil” and major price shocks in the long term, the prices of oil and gas actually fell due to new exploration and new techniques like fracking. While “Increasing demand lowers prices” is not a “law,” it is the likely way to bet.

That said, it is possible that lithium supply would be “solved” by simply finding more lithium and mining it in destructive, water-intensive ways. However, that is far from assured — it is simply what we know how to do now. As lithium grows in demand, efforts will be made to mine it more efficiently and less destructively, particularly if environmental laws demand cleaner ways of extracting it.

It turns out the 250 mile range of the LFP cars is more than enough for most customers. I drive a car with such range myself. While people lust over 350 or even 500 miles of range, only a few people need that and will buy it if it’s a lot more expensive. The bigger problem is batteries for very large vehicles, like trucks, SUVs and buses where the lightest and smallest batteries may not be optional. Small, light vehicles can do fine with slightly less top-end lithium.

Lithium mining is, today, hugely destructive. Future fairy dust technology has not yet been invented that has stopped lithium mining from being hugely destructive.

Ev cause same environmental damages as oil but with more human slavery

Car Car Latest News, Car Car Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Ferrari reportedly investigating sound generator for future EVsFerrari wants its EVs to have a distinct sound, just like its gas cars.
Source: motorauthority - 🏆 61. / 68 Read more »

Here Are The Best Used EVs That Qualify For The $4,000 Tax CreditStarting January 1, 2023, buyers of certain used electric cars can receive a $4,000 tax credit. Here are the best EVs that qualify. Tax credit not a tax rebate. If you paid in only 2,500 in 2023 and but a qualifying bev. You only get $2,500 back you paid in. Not like the child tax credit that acts as money you paid in. Skip the i3, e-Golf, and 500e. They are severely limited vehicles. The Bolt is a true ice replacement.
Source: InsideEVs - 🏆 579. / 51 Read more »