Rare Earths - Cobalt It is interesting to see EXRO's subtle change in its marketing message. Previously, EXRO focused on performance/cost matters. Now it is also highlighting rare earth issues, in particular, cobalt. A couple of examples:
- ERIC's recent video, where he talks extensively on the CD and cobalt in batteries,
- 4Fronts' 24 Jan 2023 report on Canadian Critical Minerals Ecosystem and its plan to compare Lithium Ion batteries with a Nickel/Cobalt cathode and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in a future report.
Most of the world's supply of cobalt comes from the Congo and is associated with considerable human rights issues.
The EU has recently passed laws to address this and other matters (https://thedriven.io/2022/12/13/ev-makers-on-notice-as-eu-passes-tough-new-laws-on-battery-sustainability/) These provisions expected to become the standard for the world. They include : "Companies selling batteries in the EU will also have to identify, prevent and address any environmental, human rights or labour issues in their supply chains."
And EXRO's new cell driver uses LFP which is cobalt free.
I think that we see more talk on this in the future.