Economist Podcasts

Babbage: How to avoid a battery shortage

Oct 25, 2023
Join Paul Markillie, Innovation editor at The Economist; Matthieu Favas, finance correspondent; and Anjani Trivedi, global business correspondent, as they tackle the pressing challenge of battery shortages for the green transition. They discuss the urgent need for improved battery technology, the importance of sourcing green metals, and potential alternatives like sodium-ion batteries. The conversation also covers recycling innovations, global supply chain dynamics, and the economic implications of sustainable practices, all crucial for powering a future that relies on renewable energy.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Lithium-ion Batteries: From Laptops to Electric Cars

  • Lithium-ion batteries, lighter than predecessors, first powered expensive electronics like laptops.
  • Their increasing size enabled the electric car revolution.
INSIGHT

Sony's Role in the Battery Revolution

  • Sony commercialized the lithium-ion battery in the early 90s, leading to its widespread use.
  • This marked a turning point from heavier lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries.
ANECDOTE

Early Electric Cars

  • Electric cars existed in the early days of automobiles; even Henry Ford's wife drove one.
  • However, older, heavier batteries limited their practicality.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app