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 Absens of Raw Materials
The production of hybrid-drives, now slowly starting in Germany as well, is actually creating the false impression, that we are almost at the point where all our energy- and environmental problems are about to be solved. If
one examines it more closely, it's rather the opposite. The real problems are still to come.
This is quite easily recognisable in the case of the development of the fuel cell. In this case as well, most of the technical difficulties have been, or are nearing a solution. After all, the cars are already in everyday use. Why
then, are these not affordable in the foreseeable future?, because, after the invention, the conversion into everyday practise must follow, this is now, where the real difficulties arise.
For now we'll ignore the economics of the not available, extremly expensive hydrogen system, and the difficulty of environment-friendly production without great losses. No, in this case, it's all about the large-scale serial
production of fuel cells which depend, e.g., on raw materials which are even more scarce than the waning crude oil reserves.
We are all aware of what happens with high demand products which are only available in limited amounts, they become really expensive. Particularly, because for a number of rare metals, at the moment, only one supplier
country is possible, China. The re-opening of mines, now seen as lucrative, which have, in the meantime, been closed, could take as much as ten years or more.
Unfortunately, we are in the process of exhausting the resources of rare metals for the so-called growth markets, namely, cell-phones and flat screen TVs/monitors. OK, say the experts, then we'll simply recycle them. All
good and well, but for this to work, the rate of recycling would have to be increased. A good 93% of all cell-phones land in the garbage can, among other things, because they are so small. When the valuable metals are
recovered, this is done, by and large, in developing countries under the most environmentally hostile conditions.
Let's get back to the hybrid-drive. Even with the possibility of charging from a socket-outlet, it requires at least seven times the battery capacity. This is enough for a useable radius of just 20kms. Only with the genuine
electric car does it become exciting. A Tesla-Roadster, e.g., with approx. 7000 Lithium-Ion cells has no less than 7 kgs of Lithium and 40 kgs of Cobalt on board, it's not at all surprising, that this set of batteries will set you
back about €15.000.
With the increase of electric cars, of course, the rare metals will certainly not become any cheaper. Although we have always been told that all rare metals can be recycled. Like e.g., the approx. 3 grams of Platinum in the
catalytic converter. In Great Britain, after examining street dirt, some even believe in an economical recovery. 30 Grams of rare metals per 3 km/year. One can clearly see where a portion of the platinum ends up.
Not only the hydrogen-, but also the electricity production is affected, because rare metals are also necessary for the production of photovoltaics. It is unfortunate, that one does not yet know exactly, which way the trend is
going. Since the (at best, direct) exploitation of hydrogen requires completely different technologies than that of electricity. Should the rare substances be used for the production of fuel-cells or for solar panels?
To make sure that we understand each other, we are not recommending the return to fossile-fuel technology. Just a pause to review and reflect, just how difficult the change-over will be, even when we have accustomed
ourselves to the higher costs. And while we're pondering, will some of the absolutely necessary rare metals be dissapearing in the form of possibly, millions of discarded cell phones? 04/10
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