U.S. working with Canada on minerals needed for EVs California’s senators push for end of the ICE age

Reuters is reporting that the United States is in talks with Canada in an effort to obtain more of the minerals needed for batteries, a critical component in electric vehicles. The meeting took place virtually and focused on ways of increasing output from mines in Canada. The effort is said to be a �irst step in building a U.S.-Canada supply system for raw materials needed for electric vehicles, a category that is expected to see a surge in growth over the coming decade. U.S. manufacturers are turning to Canada for 13 of 35 critical minerals needed for EV production, according to Reuters. In earlier discussions, U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to cooperate on supplying the needed raw materials for EVs.

California’s two U.S. senators are calling on the Biden administration to set dates for the phase out of the sale of new vehicles using internal combustion engines (ICEs). A letter from Senators Diane Feinstein and Alex Padilla called on the president to “follow California’s lead and set a date by which all new cars and passenger trucks sold be zeroemission vehicles.”

Taking advantage of the state’s ability to set its own vehicle emissions standards, California in June unveiled new rules that would require shifting to battery electric and hydrogen powered cars and light trucks, starting in 2024. Governor Newsom then issued an executive order that would ban the sale of new ICE vehicles starting in

2035. While President Biden has moved to reverse the Trump administration’s attempt to loosen fuel economy standards, so far his administration has not signaled any intention to require a phase-out of ICE vehicles.