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The global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, but McKinsey’s latest report warns of significant strain on the supply chain for critical battery materials by 2030.

EV sales are expected to jump from 4.5 million units in 2023 to 28 million annually by the end of the decade. This unprecedented demand will put pressure on the availability of essential materials like lithium, high-purity manganese, and graphite.

While lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries reduce reliance on scarcer materials like cobalt and nickel, they still depend heavily on lithium, manganese, and graphite. The shift to LFP batteries offers some relief but does not eliminate the imbalances in the supply chain, highlighting the need for continued focus on securing sustainable sources.

Adding to the challenge, upstream raw material mining and refining these materials account for about 40% of an EV battery’s total emissions. McKinsey’s report emphasizes that reducing emissions in these processes is critical.

“Sourcing materials from supplies committed to low-emission fuels and power sources could cut emissions by as much as 80% in mining and refining phases. This needs to be paired with a strong focus on cost reduction given the current profitability pressure in the battery industry,” said Raphael Rettig, partner at McKinsey.

Smaller but essential materials, such as high-purity manganese, also face growing challenges. Currently, manganese contributes around 4% of emissions in a typical lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (LI-NMC) battery. However, as LFP batteries gain popularity and larger materials like lithium and nickel are decarbonized, manganese’s relative emissions intensity could nearly double without targeted strategies to address the imbalance.

Toyota’s recent $4.5 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop more sustainable EV batteries is a step toward addressing these challenges. However, it’s clear that solving the broader supply chain issues will require a collective effort from the entire industry to balance demand with sustainable practices and minimize emissions. The path forward will define the EV industry’s ability to meet climate goals while scaling up production.

Read more: Toyota gets $4.5M DOE grant to boost EV battery sustainability


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Farmrobo iMog hopes to bring autonomous tractor to hobby farms

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Farmrobo iMog hopes to bring autonomous tractor to hobby farms

Developed by Indian company Farmrobo Technologies, the iMog is a fully autonomous, multipurpose electric farm tractor designed to be a cost-effective solution to support small-scale farming operations and hobby farms.

In constant development since 2019, the Farmrobo iMog weights in at “just” 550 lbs., and is just two feet wide and four feet long. That’s small enough to allow it to easily fit between tightly-packed rows of crops without damaging them. The robot’s small size also makes it pretty efficient – its 8 HP electric motor can run for up to 5 hours on its relatively small 90 AH LFP battery (about 4 kWh, assuming a 48V system).

The robot uses RTK-enabled GPS, which stands for “Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System.” RTK-enabled GPS combines standard GPS signals with real-time correction data from local base stations, delivering what the company calls “centimeter-level positioning accuracy.” The robot can then be programmed to operate on a given route or path by the farmer, or operated remotely via on-board cameras.

The iMog also features an innovative Power Take-Off (PTO) system that allows it to power a range of conventional attachments that includes a roto-tiller, high-tech sprayer, a mulcher, and more. The base robot retails for €12,000 and is available in India, the Middle East, and (now) in Europe.

As I write this, Farmrobo claims 20 examples of its iMog robot tractor are currently in operation, with many more on their way to customers.

Electrek’s Take

Y’all know I love a good electric tractor, but while the North American market seemingly wants to go bigger and badder than even Solectrac’s 25 HP machines, it seems the rest of the world understands that the biggest tool for the job isn’t always the right tool for the job.

Here’s hoping the Farmrobo team has better luck than Solectrac.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Farmrobo Technologies, via Future Farming.

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Awesomely Weird Alibaba EV of the Week: A $7,000 armored golf cart?

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Awesomely Weird Alibaba EV of the Week: A ,000 armored golf cart?

What would you get if you created the illegitimate love child of a Mercedes G-Wagon and a Brinks armored truck (and perhaps if the Mercedes chain-smoked through the pregnancy)? I think you’d wind up with something like the wacky-looking electric cart that has earned the dubious honor of being named this week’s Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week!

I’m not sure this is exactly an armored golf cart, so I wouldn’t invite any unnecessary potshots while cruising your hood, but I’m at a loss of how else to describe it.

It’s definitely not a “real” car, as evidenced by its US $6,999 price tag and the 30 km/h (18 mph) top speed. If you ask me though, that speed goes in the ‘advantages’ column. When you drive something that looks this good, you want to be going slow enough to give people a good, long look.

A vehicle like this is designed to send a statement. Unfortunately, I think that statement might be, “I wanted a Jeep but my spouse wanted to remodel the kitchen.”

So if it’s not a real car, then what is it?

Measuring a stubby 306 cm long (an entire half inch over 10 feet), this four-seater mini-SUV is less G-Wagon and more “Oh, gee” wagon. It can supposedly carry up to 370 kg (815 lb) in passengers or cargo, but there’s no telling how much of a dent that puts in the already challenged top speed.

Safety might also be a passing concern. It doesn’t have any seatbelts, but the tires look like they just about extend out past the front and rear, so at least you’ve got some nice shock-absorbent bumpers built into the design.

The advertisement claims a maximum range of up to 80 km (50 miles) per charge, which seems like several more miles than anyone needs from something like this.

There’s no word on battery technology, which means I’m assuming either features older lead acid tech or there’s a frunk full of lemons and a bunch of loose wires running through the firewall.

I’m glad to see that the roof rack is at least equipped with enough LED lights to make an airport runway jealous, just in case I find myself stuck in the wilds of my backyard after dark. And that roof rack even looks pretty heavy-duty, though since the cart is considerably taller than it is wide, tight turns with a heavily-loaded roof rack should probably be avoided.

As much as I love this thing, I don’t think I’ll be whipping out my credit card any time soon.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve bought plenty of bad ideas on Alibaba before. But since my $2,000 electric truck ending up costing me nearly 4x that much by the time it landed in the US, I’m a bit worried what the final price tag on a $6,999 Mini-MegaOverlander would become.

I don’t recommend anyone actually try buying this cute little TinyTrailblazer either, and I’m certainly not vouching for the vendor, who I discovered by chance while scrolling through Alibaba to procrastinate real work. Keep in mind that this is all part of a tongue-in-cheek column I write, diving into the depths of Alibaba’s weird and funny collection of awesome electric vehicles.

But hey, if someone does go that route, it wouldn’t be the first time my advice has been ignored and some awesome photos have landed in inbox several months later. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you if it turns out some Nigerian prince has your last paycheck and you’re up a creek with no MicroMudder to come bail you out!

When your local HOA finally gets its own tactical response unit

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Mullen CEO reveals 3 key EV market trends to watch in 2025

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Mullen CEO reveals 3 key EV market trends to watch in 2025

Yup, Mullen Automotive [Nasdaq: MULN] is still here! And the EV company is defying the naysayers, reporting progress in EV sales, and reducing its monthly burn rate. Following Mullen Automotive’s significant strides in expanding its EV presence and improving its financial health in the last few weeks, Electrek caught up with David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen Automotive, who told us what trends he thinks 2025 will see for EV owners and others in the EV market.

After 2024 saw breakthroughs in tech, affordability, and adoption, Michery predicts this year will see even more disruption, transforming transportation and logistics on a massive scale. Here’s what to watch for this year.

EV total cost of ownership falls sharply

“Even if the federal EV tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act is repealed, EVs will become more affordable through state-level incentives, manufacturer subsidies, and private partnerships. The investment case for electrification is simply too strong for the private sector to ignore.

“Reduced battery costs, cheaper maintenance, and lower energy expenses will make EVs increasingly attractive to businesses and consumers. Charging infrastructure programs and fleet retrofitting will also help organizations navigate the upfront costs with the goal of long-term savings.

“The result is a financial tipping point: EVs will no longer just be environmentally compelling – they will also be the most cost-effective choice.”

Commercial EVs expand their use cases

“If 2024 was any indication, 2025 will bring new use cases for EVs. Transportation and delivery will likely continue to reign supreme, but the customizable nature of EVs means that we can expect more specialized use cases such as airport shuttles, university campus logistics, home services, and refrigerated delivery.

“Airports will adopt EV cargo vans for quieter, cleaner transit and delivery between terminals, while universities will electrify campus logistics to align with sustainability goals. Innovations in temperature-controlled EVs will expand the reach of refrigerated deliveries, cutting emissions in cold-chain logistics. And this is cause for celebration.

“New use cases mean more widespread adoption – and recognition that electrification is the best way forward.”

(Editor’s note: This is the business that Mullen Automotive is in, and he’s not wrong.)

2025 will be the year of the battery

“EV batteries are poised for immense improvement in the coming year. Solid-state polymer batteries – an innovation that significantly expands battery lifespan and thus widens range – are currently in road testing.

“Offering higher energy density and faster charging, these new batteries will make EVs more reliable and competitive with internal combustion vehicles as compared to other electric alternatives.

“Plus, better range and more efficient energy consumption will undoubtedly translate to lower maintenance costs for fleet owners.”

Read more: Mullen scores a solid, 3,000-unit electric truck order from Volt Mobility


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