The term ‘critical’ indicates the degree to which the minerals key to decarbonizing our energy future are considered economically or strategically important, so it varies according to circumstances and viewpoint. Just how many of these materials are ‘critical’ is up for debate. The US Geological Survey has identified 50. The International Energy Agency puts it at 37, highlighting copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earths (also known as REE, a group of 17 different elements). Sometimes aluminium is added to the list.
EVs: Electric cars are mineral-greedy to make, requiring on average six times more mineral input than conventional vehicles. Typically, at least eight critical minerals are used, including copper and nickel.
