Impact of Critical Mineral Supply Chain Disruptions on Global EV Production

The global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating rapidly as countries strive to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Central to this electrification revolution is the supply of critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements—that are essential for manufacturing EV batteries and components. However, disruptions in the supply chain of these critical minerals pose significant challenges to global EV production, with far-reaching economic, environmental, and geopolitical implications.

Critical Minerals: The Backbone of EV Manufacturing

Electric vehicles rely heavily on batteries that use specific minerals to achieve energy density, longevity, and performance. Lithium-ion batteries, the predominant technology in EVs, require lithium for energy storage, cobalt for stability, and nickel to enhance energy capacity. Rare earth elements like neodymium and dysprosium are crucial for manufacturing powerful magnets used in EV motors. The limited geographical availability of these minerals and concentrated production in a few countries make the … READ MORE ...