3 ms·
There's a real question as to whether we'll have enough copper, too.
by gozur88 9y ago
There's a real question as to whether we'll have enough copper, too.
- pdwetz 9y agoI wonder if we can "mine" all of the old copper wires (telephones, etc)?
- maxerickson 9y agoIt's actually a problem with people breaking into unused houses and ripping out the wiring. Or stealing other metal. Scrap yards in my state (and I'm sure many others) are required to take identification from anyone that sells them metal.
- colonelxc 9y agoCopper recycling can be quite profitable. Enough so that people rob houses under construction just to recycle it for cash.
- flukus 9y agoThere is a very lucrative black market in "recycled" copper. It's been known to be stolen off trucks by the tonne.
- hwillis 9y agoWorld production is almost 20 million tonnes annually so that shouldnt be an issue. Its also not like electric cars use that much more copper than normal cars: normal cars have both a starter engine and an alternator plus all the engine wiring. Also, electric motors can use aluminum wiring, and many induction motors have aluminum rotors since they can be cast at a lower temperature than copper.
- Robotbeat 9y agoSo use aluminum, which has better conductivity per unit mass. And is essentially inexhaustible.