![]() Thankfully, Minnesota is working to fully realize this potential. Electric vehicles have the potential to dramatically reduce these emissions, much of which come from light duty cars and trucks. Here in Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports that transportation is now our state’s largest source of climate change pollution as well as a significant source of air pollution that harms our hearts and lungs. EVs play a role in Minnesota’s clean energy future. Additionally, voluntary efforts between automakers, suppliers, and governments to ensure a safe and sustainable supply chain should continue. The negative human and environmental consequences of cobalt mining are real and well-documented, and efforts to enact robust labor and environmental standards on the industry are warranted, as is a comprehensive national trade policy and an economy-wide effort to curtail the use of cobalt. Others are dramatically reducing the amount of cobalt needed for their batteries, like GM, who last year unveiled a new battery system that uses 70 percent less cobalt than current batteries. For instance, Tesla’s current vehicle batteries contain less than five percent cobalt and the company announced in September 2020 that they are developing their own batteries that will be cobalt-free. ![]() As a result, electric vehicle manufacturers are transitioning away from cobalt. ![]() In fact, other battery technologies that don’t use cobalt-such as nickel-iron-aluminum cathodes or lithium-iron-phosphate ones-not only exist but are actively being developed for use in new EVs. While it is true that cobalt is found in the lithium-ion batteries used in many electric vehicles, there is some good news: EV batteries don’t need cobalt to work. Thus, it is reasonable for consumers to look at the cobalt in all of their products when making purchasing decisions. It’s well documented that cobalt mining often involves unethical and unsafe labor practices in places such as the Congo. Currently, the largest use of cobalt is in portable consumer electronics like cell phones, laptop computers, and tablets, which are all powered by lithium-ion batteries.Īlthough cobalt is a byproduct of the production of other metals, it also mined, primarily in Australia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today it is a metal found in many products ranging from aircraft engines to lithium-ion batteries, including those in electric vehicles. Cobalt is prevalent in today’s tech.Ĭobalt has a long industrial history with a variety of uses. Read on to learn more about cobalt and what’s being done to address relevant concerns. The use of cobalt in EV batteries is a topic that is especially mentioned. While it’s exciting that people are talking about EVs, misinformation and mischaracterizations regarding this technology are growing too. – Electric vehicle manufacturers, led by Tesla, are transitioning away from their reliance on cobalt and generally establishing stricter standards on labor in their supply chain.Īs electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, the public debate about their pros and cons increases. – While electric car batteries do use cobalt, the largest use of cobalt comes from the portable consumer electronics industry. – The use of cobalt in electric vehicle batteries has been raised as a concern, given the worker exploitation in mining locations such as the Congo. UPDATE: Looking for a more in-depth explainer on electric vehicles and batteries? Check out our “What’s up with electric vehicles and batteries?” article. Electric car manufacturers are transitioning away from cobalt, a key component in lithium-ion batteries.
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