Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, made statements about the lithium used in batteries in electric cars. Drawing attention to the global crisis in lithium due to the demand for electric vehicles, Musk stated that Tesla can enter lithium mining, which creates big question marks about its environmental effects.
Due to carbon emissions that seriously affect the world, many automobile manufacturers to electric vehicles is oriented. Many giant companies are planning to reduce their carbon footprint by giving up internal combustion engines and cut reliance on fossil fuels altogether.
However, it should be noted that there is a major obstacle in front of manufacturers in the transition to electrification of automobiles. This is the presence of rare elements used in vehicles’ rechargeable batteries. According to authorities, used in batteries lithium The mining of the element has become very difficult due to environmental effects and costs. That’s why Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, thinks that the company can make moves in this regard.
Tesla can start mining lithium
First, let’s talk briefly about the environmental concerns about lithium mining. According to the authorities, the removal of this element, which is of great importance for electric vehicles; pollute water resources, increase greenhouse gases, damage fertile soils and living ecosystems, and create large wastes has such potential. This situation reveals that the use of lithium, which is expected to create a ‘clean’ future, creates a contradiction in electric vehicles, whose mining seems to cause great pollution.
It should be noted that there has been a global lithium crisis due to reasons such as the increase in demand for electric cars, and that lithium prices have increased by more than 450% in the last 12 months. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also tweeted on this subject on Friday, signaling that his company could enter this sector. Drawing attention to the problems experienced in lithium, Musk said in his statements:
“The price of lithium has reached insane levels. Lithium is found all over the world; This means that there is no problem with the element itself, the real problem is in extraction and purification shows that. That’s why Teslacan directly enter mining and refining.”
In addition, let’s say that other companies are working to reduce the dependence on this element, which is difficult to remove. Some researchers think that zinc could be a good alternative, while others think that sodium-ion batteries could be used in electric vehicles. However, for now, it can be produced at scale and rival the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. that a complete alternative has not yet been found. should not go without mentioning.
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Despite the rapid increase in demand, the global chip crisis, inflation problems and the increase in commodity prices are not for the electric vehicle manufacturers. in a difficult time We can say that we are. We will see over time whether Tesla will make a move on lithium or whether there will be an alternative to this element.