The drive toward a net-zero future potentially depends on three critical metals: cobalt, copper, and nickel.
These metals power the batteries and infrastructure behind electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy, but demand is soaring, and supply is under threat.
With Gartner forecasting 85 million EVs on the road by end of 2025, and without a stable, domestic supply chain, North America faces serious risks in meeting its climate goals.
Each of these metals plays a vital role…
Cobalt boosts EV battery stability and range. Copper, known as the “lifeblood of electrification,” powers EV wiring, charging stations, and grids. Nickel enables high energy density in EV batteries, pushing performance to new heights.
But limited global supplies of each make North America and Europe both vulnerable as policy-driven demand skyrockets. Some critics believe that a 10-year EV transition is an “irrational” pipe dream.
Meeting this demand is no small task. Wood Mackenzie estimates that $3.5 trillion will be needed every year to build the technology and infrastructure for a green transition. Recognizing the urgency, the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act is channeling $369 billion into clean energy manufacturing and materials supply chains. Even with this support, supply risks remain high, making North American-based solutions essential.
For investors, this supply challenge is a call to action. The opportunity to back domestic production has never been clearer—securing the materials needed for a cleaner energy future.
Keep reading as we look into what’s at stake in these metals’ markets.
External Control Over Critical Minerals
China’s dominance in the battery materials market poses a major supply risk as global demand for cobalt, copper, and nickel surges. In particular, China processes a large majority of the world's cobalt, lithium and graphite, along with around half of the world's copper.
With control over roughly 60% of the global processing for these critical minerals, China holds a strong influence over the supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy infrastructure. As well, the Democratic Republic of Congo still produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt.
For North America, this reliance on Chinese processing introduces significant vulnerabilities, especially as demand for these minerals is expected to outpace supply.
Securing these essential materials has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges of the green energy transition. BloombergNEF projects a $2.1 trillion investment gap to meet global demand for critical minerals by 2050.
This gap highlights the urgent need for diversified sources to avoid overdependence on China. The World Economic Forum has also flagged potential export restrictions and bottlenecks from China, which could disrupt steady access to battery materials and hinder progress toward climate goals.
This dependency underscores the importance of localizing supply chains. Nations worldwide are racing to secure mineral supplies within their borders, pushing for North American-based production as a hedge against geopolitical risks.
Cobalt – The Supply Crunch and Domestic Opportunity
Cobalt is essential for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, giving them the stability and lifespan needed for long-range driving. But as EV sales soar, so does cobalt demand.
In just a few years, EVs are expected to consume 30% of the global cobalt supply, putting intense pressure on an already limited resource.
Right now, the U.S. and Canada rely heavily on imported cobalt, making their supply chains vulnerable. With demand outpacing supply, securing a stable, local source of cobalt is becoming crucial. Canada holds untapped reserves of cobalt that could reduce this reliance on imports and strengthen North America’s battery supply.
Investing in domestic cobalt projects offers a strategic advantage. It reduces supply risks and supports the booming EV market. For investors, this isn’t just a high-demand resource—it’s a chance to back a secure, sustainable future for clean energy.
Copper – The Lifeblood of Electrification and Its Supply Limits
Copper is the backbone of electrification. It’s essential for electric vehicle (EV) components, wind turbines, solar panels, and the grid infrastructure that connects it all. As the energy transition speeds up, copper demand is climbing fast.
But there’s a problem: supply is falling behind. The International Energy Agency estimates that, at current production rates, only 80% of the copper needed by 2030 will be available. This gap poses a significant challenge for clean energy goals and the expanding EV market.
To close this gap, North America is turning to domestic copper mining.
Increasing local production could reduce reliance on imports and create a more stable supply chain.
Nickel – High Demand, High Impact, and Domestic Shortfalls
Nickel demand is skyrocketing, driven by its role in high-density batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs). High-grade nickel sulfides, in particular, are essential for boosting battery capacity and extending EV range.
But like other critical battery metals, most of the nickel supply chain is controlled by foreign sources, leaving North America dependent on imports, and the threat of a high-grade nickel shortage near 2030.
Macquarie has warned that nickel may soon see a deficit, due to major hurdles in Indonesia’s mining sector.
As the EV market grows, securing a stable nickel supply is becoming urgent. Canada and the U.S. are now exploring domestic nickel mining projects to reduce this reliance on global suppliers and establish a secure North American supply chain. These efforts could help stabilize the market and support the expansion of clean energy.
Seizing the Opportunity in Domestic Battery Metals
The demand for cobalt, copper, and nickel is rising sharply, with these metals forming the backbone of the electric vehicle (EV) market and the clean energy transition. With governments and private companies pouring investments into securing supply chains, the shift to North American mining and production is picking up speed.
For investors, the opportunity is clear. By backing domestic projects, there’s a chance to support the development of secure, reliable sources for these critical metals. As EV and renewable energy demand accelerates, having a stable supply chain close to home isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential.