Stellantis CEO Has Doubts About Widespread EV Adoption
One-Size-Fits-All Approach To EVs May Not Be Suitable For Every Part Of The World...
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, has raised significant doubts regarding the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) during his remarks at the 2024 Freedom of Mobility Forum, yesterday. Tavares expressed concerns that a one-size-fits-all approach to EVs may not be suitable for every part of the world, emphasizing the need to move away from dogmatic thinking.
“In a diverse world, it’s essential to acknowledge that current EVs may not cater to the needs of every society,” Tavares stated. He highlighted the challenges associated with EV batteries, emphasizing the necessity for a breakthrough in battery chemistry to significantly reduce weight and raw material usage over the next decade.
Tavares pointed out the environmental implications of the substantial amount of raw materials required for current battery packs, noting that it is not a sustainable outcome. He stressed the urgency for the industry to achieve a breakthrough in power density, aiming to cut the weight and raw material usage of EVs by at least 50%.
“We need a significant breakthrough in battery chemistry to address the weight and material concerns,” Tavares explained. “Putting an additional 1,000 pounds of raw materials in an EV for a decent range is not sustainable.”
Tavares also addressed the challenges of EV adoption in less developed nations, citing issues such as limited access to electricity and unstable power grids.
Moreover, Tavares expressed skepticism regarding hydrogen as a viable alternative for mass mobility due to its high cost, especially for ordinary citizens. He suggested that, for the foreseeable future, hydrogen may only be feasible for fleets of big corporations rather than individual consumers.
“I’m afraid that, for the time being, affordability is going to be a major showstopper for hydrogen,” he said. “For the near future, it’s [possibly] going to be a solution for fleets of big corporations, but certainly not for normal citizens.”
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