The Indicator from Planet Money Cobalt-free batteries reign in Chinese EVs. Why not the US?
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Aug 20, 2025 The podcast delves into the race between cobalt-based and iron phosphate batteries for electric vehicles. It highlights the ethical concerns surrounding cobalt mining and recent shifts in the industry, particularly in China. Key decisions by manufacturers prioritize safety and cost, influenced by government subsidies. The discussion also touches on the challenges U.S. manufacturers face in achieving technological independence in battery production. Tune in for insights on how these evolving technologies shape the future of electric vehicles.
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Child Miners In Congo
- Henry Sanderson describes meeting a former child miner who witnessed deadly cave-ins in Congo cobalt mines.
- He recounts how unsafe, hand-dug mining with children supplying cobalt to Chinese buyers led to fatalities and collapsed tunnels.
LFP's Tradeoffs And Policy Impact
- Iron phosphate (LFP) batteries trade lower energy density for cheaper materials and greater safety.
- Early Chinese subsidies favored high-density cobalt chemistries, making LFP initially less common.
BYD's Early LFP Bet
- BYD founder Wang Chuanfu favored LFP batteries from as early as 2002 for safety and cost reasons.
- He invested in LFP despite industry trends pushing higher-capacity cobalt chemistries.
