Visualizing the Decline of Copper Usage in EVs

What We’re Showing

The evolution of copper demand in various subcomponents of passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from 2015 to 2030F, along with total global copper demand driven by EVs for the same period. This data comes exclusively from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.  

Key Takeaways 

• The average copper content in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) dropped by 26 kg between 2015 and 2024. 
• Most of the reduction occurred in the battery pack due to the adoption of thinner foils, and in the wiring harness due to more efficient wiring solutions.
• Despite these reductions, copper demand from electric vehicles (BEVs + PHEVs) is still expected to more than double between 2024 and the end of the decade, reaching nearly 2.5 million tonnes.