Nothing has shaken up the automotive world more than the introduction of clean energy vehicles (CEVs), well maybe autonomous vehicle technology, but we’ll save that for another column. The retail automotive industry is a key sector in British Columbia’s economy, and changes to technology and the industry have a way of spilling over into other sectors.
From the start of the supply chain all the way to the consumer, B.C. is in a unique position to champion the clean energy future. Not only is B.C. a leader in CEV sales and boasts the largest charging network in Canada, it also has the potential to become a main supplier of resources needed to produce CEVs.
Mining companies in B.C. are among the lowest greenhouse gas emission-intense miners in the world, not to mention high Canadian environmental standards and rule of law in resource development. Many of the necessary metals and minerals required for the production of electric vehicle technology is mined here in B.C., and given the recent global trends, the need for these raw materials will only increase.
Over the past year especially, different automotive manufacturers have unveiled whole new line-ups of CEVs at various auto shows around the world as the global demand for clean energy vehicles continue to grow.
The 2017 Vancouver Auto Show, for example, saw the unveiling of the new plug-in hybrid from MINI and an increased interest in EVs overall, as hundreds of British Columbians eagerly signed up for the Electric Vehicle Experience Test Drive, presented by CEVforBC™. FCA also launched their plug-in hybrid seven-seater, the Pacifica Hybrid.
But as the consumer appetite for EVs in B.C. and around the world grows, so does the demand for mined materials. Minerals like gold, copper, zinc, molybdenum, lead and coal are all mined in B.C. and are necessary materials used to produce important components for electric and hybrid vehicle drivetrains.
In 2016, mining companies contributed $8.7 billion to the provincial economy, and employee more than 38,000 British Columbians, but the benefits of B.C.’s mining operations go far beyond just economics. The mining industry in B.C. has the capability to lead the way, supporting a major movement towards a clean energy future.
British Columbia is the largest producer of copper in Canada. Copper, especially, is a material that is becoming increasingly sought-after, as EVs require four times more copper than conventional vehicles in their manufacturing process.
A report commissioned by the International Copper Association presented in June found that the growing number of EV’s will fuel a nine-fold increase in copper demand over the next decade. In 2020, the copper needed for automotive wire harnesses is expected to grow from 1 million tonnes in 2015, to 1.15 million tonnes globally by 2020.
The EV population in Canada has been steadily growing. As of last year, there are 30,000 EV’s on Canada’s roads, but there is a much bigger demand overseas. China, for example, experienced 45,000 new EV sales in December of 2016 alone, according to Fleetcarma.
2017 has been a tipping point for CEVs, as countries around the world come to the realization that with advancements in battery and other technology, CEVs are a step towards a greener future, but this electric future depends largely on the supply of raw materials.
Mining has helped shape the history of British Columbia, and could shape the future as well by propelling B.C. and Canada onto the world stage as a provider of metals and minerals that are key to the clean energy vehicle development. So, the next time you see a CEV silently pass by, remember the important role BCs mining sector is playing in our green technology future.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
