The energy transition, which is beginning to reveal serious disparities in several areas on the part of car manufacturers without even being a close observer, the shortcomings of some and the strengths of others are now widely visible.

A recent study by Transport and Environment (T&E) only confirms this trend, with some manufacturers experiencing real delays securing supplies of base metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel needed to produce batteries for electric vehicles. Most European manufacturers guarantee only 16% of the base metals needed for battery production by 2030.

Good students…

According to the contracts made public, only industry giants Tesla and BYD stand out as putting significant measures in place to guarantee their supplies. These manufacturers are not only protecting their supply chains, but are also introducing innovative batteries that are nickel- and cobalt-free.

However, the vast majority of automakers seem to be overlooking the importance of securing metal supplies, which is particularly worrying given the intense global competition in the sector.

Although many manufacturers have invested heavily in expanding their battery production capacity by increasing factory designs, T&E’s investigation shows that they have not taken equivalent measures to guarantee the supply of raw materials.

Manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Ford and Stellantis have made progress, but Renault’s ethical commitment has yet to be clarified. T&E encourages these producers to step up their efforts to protect their metal supply chains, stressing that this important step is necessary to meet the 2030 targets.

…and the worst

T&E’s analysis also identifies an urgent need for some major players such as Jaguar Land-Rover, Mercedes, Volvo, Toyota, BMW and Hyundai-Kia to strengthen their sourcing strategy. These companies are expected to pay special attention to the supply of base metals to avoid future vulnerabilities in an increasingly competitive market.

In addition, NGOs emphasize the importance of increased support from European manufacturers for the local battery industry. From funding research startups to modernizing refineries, these initiatives will not only help ensure supply, but also promote the sustainability of the entire supply chain.

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