Manufacturing fleets of hybrid gas-electric cars instead of pure electric vehicles is the answer to reducing greenhouse gas emissions amid a global copper crunch, Adam Simon, a University of Michigan scientist found in a report published this month.
Internal combustion engines require 24 kilograms of copper, hybrid electric vehicles require 29 kilograms, and battery electric vehicles require 60 kilograms, according to the report.
“Transitioning to an entire fleet of, not just the Toyota Prius, but an entire fleet of hybrids would potentially have as big a positive impact on the environment and require a lot less copper and other metals,” Simon said.
