The rise of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will require a transformation in battery technology, the charging infrastructure, and the electric grid. Sam Abuelsamid, Principal Analyst for E-Mobility at Guidehouse Insights, joins the conversation to discuss electrification issues, from battery technology and mobility to smart cities, EV range anxiety, charging networks, and the distributed energy grid evolving around us. Sam explains that recycling will be essential to making enough batteries for the growing electric and hybrid fleet without rampant extractive mining. Guidehouse recently published a report called Developing Solutions for Recycling End-of-Life EV Batteries. He also shares what kind of car he would buy this year.
EVs acccounted for 14% of all new cars sold globally in 2022, and the International Energy Agency estimates that sales will increase by another 35% to 18.9% this year. China accounts for more than half of global sales. In the United States, 7.2% of car sald in the first quarter of this year were EVs. Plug-in hybrids represented about 13% of sales — so about 20% of all cars sold will need new battery technology. As we’ve heard during previous interviews, the battery supply chain is still forming, and lithium and several critical minerals are still in short supply. You can learn more about Guidehouse Insights at https://guidehouseinsights.com/
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on October 30, 2023.