Rivian CEO Robert ‘RJ” Scaringe said that a shortage of Batteries could soon become a bigger problem than the issue on chip storage.
There is already a scarcity of global chip storage, it affects a lot of Industry, from Automotive Industry to Consumer Electronics. Scaringe stated in a report from Wall Street Journal that “Semiconductors are a small appetizer to what we are about to feel on battery cells over the next two decades,” If semiconductors are a small appetizer, then the EV batteries would be the main course. He warned that a shortage of EV batteries could be a bigger issue that the automotive industry will face.
Scaringe also stated that “Put very simply, all the world’s cell production combined represents well under 10% of what we will need in 10 years,” according to the Journal. “Meaning, 90% to 95% of the supply chain does not exist.” He said that the strategy for Rivian in securing batteries for its production is to diversify its suppliers; and build up its capacity to create its own battery cells.
Last year, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) reported that between 2022 and 2029, 18.7 million rechargeable electric cars will be lost because of battery cell shortages.
In a report by Axios, Rivian’s inexperience may be a disadvantage now, but Scaringe is looking to establish a track record that will secure long-term partnerships with critical EV component makers. Scaringe stated that “A year ago, we were less proven. Today, we’re at the very top of the list, and where we’re not at the top, we’re working very hard to get there.”
Not only did Scaringe express concern on the batteries, Elon Musk also expressed how the prices for lithium have gone up, and how Tesla might have to get into mining and refining directly at scale, unless costs improve.
