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Metal shortage for e-cars

The idea that materials for building e-cars could become scarce over time is unfortunately not too far-fetched. In fact, given the current state of raw material production, this could become even more difficult. The electrification of any matter is demanding its share, and with it an increase in demand for the materials needed to make it happen. Metals such as dysprosium, neodymium, manganese and niobium are particularly relevant.
The EU is currently still far from having a sufficient repertoire. For example, very little recycling of end-of-life vehicles is currently carried out, which could well account for a share.
However, it is not only the problem of availability, but also of economic and ecological dependence, since the extraction of raw materials is only possible in a few countries. It should be urgently considered to use what is already in circulation, such as end-of-life vehicles, in a sustainable way and to be able to continue to use it. The EU is in a difficult, though not hopeless, situation. In any case, cooperation with potential trading partners - such as Sweden - should be improved to ensure a stable supply. Not to be forgotten is the already mentioned recycling. Based on an extensive database going back to 2006, it has been shown that especially the critical metals, including neodymium and dysprosium of the above-mentioned rare earths, have increased in the material of the vehicles.
This trend is expected to continue for the time being. The purpose of this database is to provide guidance to decision makers, companies and organizations for more sustainable use. The only problem with recycling is that the metals mentioned are difficult to recycle. So if more is to be recycled, cars need to be designed accordingly to make this possible at a proportionate cost and at all. Still, the bigger focus should be on how to offset the appropriate materials to ensure they are available for new e-cars. Mining in mines is cited as an example.