Cambridge Business Association
Electric Vehicles’ Battery Problem
Video

Electric Vehicles’ Battery Problem

Wendover Productions
Wendover Productions, 2022
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10

Qualities

  • Controversial
  • Overview
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Recommendation

Why is it that the NIMBY (not in my backyard) folks only seem to win when they have money? And if there’s a sacrifice required, why does it seem to usually fall to the world’s most vulnerable people? These are questions that will arise again as the world transitions to electric vehicles, because while this is an obvious win for global climate change, it’s usually indigenous, poverty-stricken communities that are asked to absorb the side effects of global wins. Wendover Production’s Sam Denby discusses lithium mining, trade-offs and electric vehicles in this thoughtful video.

Summary

Current electric vehicle batteries require lithium, cobalt and nickel. Solid-state lithium batteries will be more efficient, but they’re not yet ready for the mass market. 

Lithium is a unique element. It has three electrons, but the one electron from its outer layer can be removed (discharging energy), then added back (taking on or storing energy), and removed again to release more energy. This reaction can be manipulated by humans, making lithium a very useful material. Batteries made from lithium are light and safe, making them a good choice for consumer electronics.

Electric vehicles are the latest darling of Wall Street and Silicon Valley, especially since some governments are talking about banning the sale of traditional gas-engine vehicles in the not-so-distant future. This means the demand for lithium will skyrocket, along with the other components...

About the Speaker

Wendover Productions is an educational YouTube channel created by Sam Denby in 2010. Denby’s other channels include Half as Interesting and Extremities.

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