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> From what I understand batteries remain the lion's share of an electric vehicle's total production cost (I've heard as much as $16K/vehicle). I've seen this
by dreamcompiler 6y ago
> From what I understand batteries remain the lion's share of an electric vehicle's total production cost (I've heard as much as $16K/vehicle).
I've seen this same figure for current EVs. But it's important to look at the trend. Lithium-ion battery prices have decreased by 97% since their introduction in 1991. The price decrease curve is amazing [0]. Teslas were at least $80K in 2015; today a Tesla with similar range (Model 3) can be had for $40K. That decrease is largely the result of Tesla and Panasonic improving battery energy density and battery production economies of scale. There is every reason to believe this trend will continue, especially if solid-state batteries can be scaled up.
As for rare-earth metals, cobalt is the worst one w.r.t. rarity and human labor. Tesla's next generation of batteries (starting in late 2021) eliminate cobalt and substitute nickel and manganese, which are far more plentiful and don't require child labor.
Not trying to sanctify Tesla here; I just follow them more closely than other battery manufacturers. The others are probably working toward similar goals.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/EE/D0EE02681F https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/EE/D0EE0...
- clouddrover 6y agoLithium sulfur batteries are also interesting. They're cheaper, lighter, and the cells don't use cobalt, manganese, or nickel. The problem to date has been poor cycle life but people are working on it: - https://oxisenergy.com/technology/ https://oxisenergy.com/technology/ - https://oxisenergy.com/wp-content-uploads-2020-11-press-release-nov-2020-final-pdf-2/ https://oxisenergy.com/wp-content-uploads-2020-11-press-rele... - https://theconversation.com/batteries-made-with-sulfur-could-be-cheaper-greener-and-hold-more-energy-129135 https://theconversation.com/batteries-made-with-sulfur-could... - https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/1/eaay2757 https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/1/eaay2757
- runeks 6y agoHere’s the chart of interest: https://img.electronicdesign.com/files/base/ebm/electronicdesign/image/2021/04/210334_NewsMod_MIT_LiIon_Price_Drop1.60746b781680d.png https://img.electronicdesign.com/files/base/ebm/electronicde...
- panabee 6y agothanks for sharing. what sources do you find reliable for breaking down EV production costs and forecasted breakdowns for the next few years?
- Reason077 6y agoCobalt is not considered a rare-earth metal. It's actually relatively common. Lithium-ion battery cells do not typically contain any rare earths, but permanent magnet motors in EVs do.