Challenges in Securing Rare Earth Elements for Electric Vehicles

20min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The chapter explores the critical issue of securing rare-earth elements for electric vehicle batteries, emphasizing China's dominance in rare-earth mining and the challenges faced by the U.S. in sourcing these resources. It delves into the complexities of mining projects in the U.S., including conflicts over lithium extraction in Nevada and the controversy surrounding a copper mine in Arizona due to its impact on Native American religious sites. The conversation also touches on the intricate issues of property rights, responsible mining practices, and the political influences on energy and resource management.

To build electric vehicles, solar panels, cell phones, and millions of other devices means the world must dig more mines to extract lithium, copper, and other vital building blocks. But mines are deeply unpopular, even as they have a role to play in fighting climate change and powering crucial technologies.

Shermer and Scheyder discuss: • How much rare earth metals will we need by 2050, 2100, and beyond? • How do lithium-ion batteries work compared to lead-acid? What are the alternatives? • Will EVs completely replace all other cars? • Can renewables completely replace fossil fuels without nuclear? • How mining works in the U.S., China, Chile, Russia, elsewhere.

Ernest Scheyder is a senior correspondent for Reuters, covering the green energy transition and the minerals that undergird it. He previously covered the US shale oil revolution, politics, and the environment at the Associated Press.