92. Pedal to the metal: Why electric car batteries need to be cleaner and greener

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the rare metals and minerals used in mobile phones, laptops and electric car batteries with Clovis Freire, chief of the commodity research and analysis section at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Electric vehicles are seen as clean because they don’t belch out exhaust fumes that fuel climate change. But some of the materials that go into them – especially the minerals and rare elements in their batteries – have large carbon footprints. 

The environmental impact of extracting materials like cobalt, copper, lithium and graphite is a major concern. 

In countries where much of the mining is done, there can be issues over human rights and the benefits to communities. With demand high and supplies limited, these materials also drive concerns about market domination by just a few producers. 

Tune in to UN Trade and Development’s Clovis Freire to find out more about these rare metals and minerals and how to make them greener.