Do new energy vehicles have a high demand for copper?

[VonElliot]

New energy vehicles have a high demand for copper, which is mainly used to make the rotor coils of new energy vehicle motors. Uses of copper: Copper is an excellent conductor and is cheaper than other conductors like gold or silver. Its corrosion resistance, ductility, and malleability make it an ideal material for wires. Copper is used in the motors and wiring of electric vehicles. Demand for copper: New energy vehicles use four times more copper than traditional fuel-powered vehicles. It is estimated that by 2030, the mining industry will need to produce 2 million tons of copper annually to meet the demand for electric vehicles. Additionally, home car chargers and public charging stations also require more copper.

[Chad]

When it comes to the demand for copper in new energy vehicles, it is indeed enormous. From my perspective, new energy vehicles, especially pure electric vehicles, rely heavily on copper. Core components like motor windings are almost entirely made of copper due to its high electrical conductivity and excellent heat dissipation, ensuring efficient vehicle operation. Additionally, various cables, connectors, and charging station wiring in the vehicle also require a significant amount of copper. In comparison, a conventional fuel-powered vehicle might use only around 20 kilograms of copper, while an electric vehicle's demand doubles to 30-40 kilograms. This substantial increase is primarily driven by the accelerating trend of electrification and the pursuit of longer ranges and faster charging. However, this also brings challenges, as the pressure on copper supply is increasing, driving up global copper prices. If resource shortages aren’t resolved, costs could rise further in the future. I must say this is no small matter—automakers are exploring partial alternatives, such as using aluminum or composite materials in certain areas to reduce costs, but this requires time to test reliability. In short, promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles must also consider the sustainable development of raw materials.

[TylerDella]

The demand for copper in new energy vehicles is undoubtedly significant and continues to grow. I’ve noticed industry reports indicating that every surge in electric vehicle production excites the copper market. Consider the copper foils and connection points in every battery system, and how chargers rely on copper wires to enhance power transmission. Current market forecasts suggest that electric vehicles could account for nearly a quarter of global copper consumption—a staggering figure. On the supply chain side, copper miners are working overtime, and rising import dependency has sparked some concerns: sharp price fluctuations could drive up vehicle manufacturing costs, affecting consumer purchasing decisions. On the flip side, this has spurred recycling innovations—much scrap copper is being repurposed for EV manufacturing, saving resources and being eco-friendly. Economically, it’s a double-edged sword: while stimulating mining development, it might slow the overall transition pace. I’ve heard experts discuss diversification into alternative material R&D as a way to manage dependency.

[JadeRose]

The demand for copper in new energy vehicles is indeed astonishingly high. Every core component of an electric car, such as the motor and high-voltage cables, is packed with copper. The sheer volume is critical to the promotion of electric vehicles—each new car on the road requires more copper to support fast charging and efficient energy conversion. In practice, I often hear about the resulting environmental dilemma: copper mining pollutes land and air, conflicting with green goals. However, the upside is that it drives improvements in recycling systems, as copper from scrapped motors can be smelted and reused. In the long run, rising copper prices may force companies to innovate, such as developing partial substitutes like graphene-based materials to save costs. I must say the balancing point lies in optimizing copper usage efficiency to ensure sustainable growth.