Two battery chemistries—cobalt-containing lithium and iron-phosphate (LFP)—are competing to power electric vehicles. Cobalt-based lithium batteries historically dominated but face ethical and human-rights concerns tied to cobalt sourcing. Iron-phosphate batteries offer advantages in cost, safety, and supply-chain stability and have recently gained market traction, challenging cobalt-dependent designs. Volt Rush is a book about the elemental components of electric vehicles. Related podcast episodes cover lithium production, batteries changing the grid, market dynamics in Texas, EV battery impacts in Michigan, and maritime battery fires. Sponsor-free access, fact-checking, music credits, and social channels are provided.
There's been an era-defining race underway between two types of batteries used in electric vehicles: lithium batteries that use cobalt, and ones that use iron phosphate. Cobalt, a metal with a checkered human rights record, has been in the lead. Until recently. Henry Sanderson's book on the elements that build electric vehicles is Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green.
Related episodes: The race to produce lithium How batteries are already changing the grid How batteries are riding the free market rodeo in Texas How EV batteries tore apart Michigan (Update) Batteries are catching fire at sea For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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