Summary
Cobalt-free batteries are now more common in Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), while the United States continues to use lithium batteries that contain cobalt. Cobalt is a metal associated with human rights concerns, but remains widely used because of its current advantages in technology.
Key Facts
- China mainly uses cobalt-free batteries, which rely on iron phosphate, in its electric vehicles.
- The U.S. still predominantly uses lithium batteries with cobalt in EVs.
- Cobalt has raised human rights issues due to the conditions in which it is mined.
- Cobalt-free batteries, like iron phosphate, are becoming more popular in China.
- Henry Sanderson has written a book covering the evolution of EV batteries and their impact on the green transition.
- There is ongoing competition between different types of EV battery technologies.
