Are Manganese Batteries The Future Of EVs? Elon Musk Thinks So

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Elon Musk suggested that manganese-based batteries have "potential" to be the solution to a global green switch. EVs, like almost everything else in technology, run on lithium batteries. The main problem with lithium batteries is that they are expensive, and use raw elements that are hard to come by and difficult to extract.

The self-proclaimed destiny of EVs is to dethrone fossil fuels and make an impact on climate change through zero emissions. To accomplish this, however, EVs need to be adopted by everyone, globally. While Europe, the US, and Asia have seen an increase in EVs on the streets, the percentage is still low. Furthermore, EVs are not even sold in many underdeveloped countries.

Related: Aston Martin Creating Its Own Batteries For EVs To Better Fit The Brand

Elon Musk appears to see some potential in manganese-based batteries, as reported by Electrek. Speaking at a Tesla Gigafactory event in Berlin, Musk said that the industry needs to set its eyes further down the road, with a focus on the battery supply chain. Musk added that in order to scale production to meet the demand of a global switch to green vehicles “common materials" would be needed.

Manganese has several advantages over elements currently used in EV batteries, including the price. The cost of nickel reached a peak of $45,000 per kilo and stabilized at $30,000 this month. In contrast, manganese has only reached a price of $10,000 per ton and this is due to it being the twelfth most abundant element on the planet, according to Element 25. It is also heavily extracted to make steel, so the mining know-how is already well established.

While nickel and lithium are only found in some specific regions, manganese producers can be found on all