The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series George Jetson Would Be Disappointed with Autonomous Vehicles || Peter Zeihan
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Sep 2, 2025 Autonomous vehicles are facing significant challenges, from consumer preferences to supply chain issues. The podcast delves into the influence of Tesla’s dominance and the importance of chip availability in a deglobalized market. It also examines the technological hurdles and legal complexities surrounding autonomous vehicle tech. Issues like advanced processing needs and liability in accidents are crucial obstacles that could delay the arrival of personal self-driving cars.
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EV Adoption Needs Subsidies And Infrastructure
- Peter Zeihan argues mass consumer EV adoption is unlikely in most of the U.S. without subsidies and charging infrastructure.
- He cites Norway as an exception where concentrated support makes EVs viable.
Lithium Processing Is A Geopolitical Bottleneck
- Zeihan warns that China processes ~80% of global lithium and that capacity will be lost if not built locally.
- He says current U.S. policy is removing incentives needed to create local battery supply chains.
Automakers Face Subsidy And Product Challenges
- Legacy carmakers and Tesla face structural challenges from subsidy cuts and stagnant model updates.
- Zeihan doubts Tesla's long-term survival and says many EVs remain optional second or third cars.