Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe warned that the automotive industry could experience an issue that outweighs the computer chip shortage.
Scaringe described the semiconductor problems as a “small appetizer” compared to a shortage of EV batteries and the metals needed to make them.
In a tour at a Rivian plant, Scaringe said, “All the world’s cell production combined represents well under 10% of what we will need in 10 years.”
He added that his projection would mean 90% to 95% of the supply chain does not exist.
To secure battery cells, Scaringe said Rivian plans to diversify its suppliers and build capacity to create its own.
A Center for Automotive Research (CAR) report from 2021 predicts battery cell production will not be able to meet demand until 2030.
According to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, lithium prices more than quadrupled as extraction falls behind EV demand.
Elon Musk, who has also warned about future battery supplies, tweeted Tesla might have to get into the mining and refining directly at scale unless costs improve.
