Will rare metal supply issues temper hybrid production? I’ve seen this topic covered by major auto news outlets from time-to-time. While I’m not a geologist the argument makes sense. There are several different rare metals that are used in hybrid electric vehicle production, as well as in a bevy of consumer electronics, and the supply of these issues may reach a shortage level in the coming years.

The metals that are specifically used during the hybrid vehicle production process include neodymium, terbium, dysprosium, and lanthanum.

Neodymium is “the key component of an alloy used to make the high-power, lightweight magnets for electric motors of hybrid cars, such as the Prius, Honda Insight and Ford Focus, as well as in generators for wind turbines.” Source: Automotive News

So supply issues may affect hybrid vehicles as well as wind turbines, a clean energy industry that is also seeing growth, in the coming years. However, new sources of these rare earth elements are being researched and mines are being opened and there is no finite time defined for when a shortage may occur. At this point it appears to be all conjecture, but definitely worthy of research.

Photo by steven m

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