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Copper demand for electric cars is undamaged, trader IXM states

The uptrend in demand for metals such as copper used in electrical automobiles is intact in spite of doubts raised by the downturn in EV sales, however estimating numbers is challenging as the market is developing, product trader IXM's head of refined metal stated.

Sales of electric vehicles have slowed for factors consisting of an absence of charging infrastructure and concerns about resale values.

The electrical lorry market is brand-new. There are a lot of variables including penetration rates and battery chemistries that makes forecasting require a guessing game, Tom Mackay said.

Growth in electric vehicle sales is slowing, but sales are still increasing. It varies from region to region, however in general growth is strong and the demand story for metals is healthy.

According to consultancy Rho Motion, sales of battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs increased 32% in 2015 to 13.63 million units, while in the first and 2nd quarters of this year sales were down 25% and up 22% respectively from the previous quarters.

Copper is used in electric automobile circuitry. It is also utilized in the batteries, which typically include lithium and depending on the chemistry nickel and cobalt.

There have been some impressive technological advances in LFP (lithium ion phosphate) chemistry. Some LFP batteries can go for 1,000 kilometres and some can charge up to 80% in 10 minutes, said Mackay, who handles the copper cathode, zinc, lead nickel, cobalt and lithium books at the Swiss-based trader.

LFP batteries were developed for the Chinese market to provide a cheaper alternative to nickel cobalt manganese (NCM). However previously LFP batteries might not be utilized for long distances.

People still believe Western world battery demand will still be predominantly NCM, if only since of the greater value of recycling NCM batteries, Mackay stated.

Recyclability is a very essential element for automakers when deciding what chemistries to utilize.

Mackay included that the number of people operating at IXM internationally is lower than previously, around 440.

Focus has actually been on the quality of individuals. We left the aluminium service due to the fact that it wasn't supplying the return we need from the resources.

(source: Reuters)