Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 27, 2025 - Hour 1 - EV's Past and Present
About this episode
Ron Ananian hosts Mark Mills from the Manhattan Institute to discuss the complexities and realities of electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on energy consumption. Mills highlights the significant resource demands of EV batteries, including the extensive mining required for materials like lithium and cobalt. He argues that while EVs will become more prevalent, the transition will not eliminate internal combustion engines as quickly as some predict. The conversation delves into the physics of energy storage, the challenges of scaling up EV production, and the potential for backpedaling on aggressive EV mandates due to resource limitations.
While Ron and crew are making the trip back from the North Pole, having helped Santa with another Christmas Eve, here is a "Best Of" show.
Ron sat down with industry icon and physicist Mark Mills to talk about EV's from multiple views a few years ago. Its a great flash from the past and interesting to note as many of the predictions and directions are happening now.
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Delorean DMC-12
"...ome back, maybe we'll talk about time travel in a DeLorean. Ron and Amy and the car doctor here"
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a unique car famous for its role in the 'Back to the Future' movies. It has cool doors that open upwards and is made of shiny metal, making it look very different from most cars.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car that became iconic largely due to its appearance in the 'Back to the Future' film series. Known for its distinctive gull-wing doors and stainless steel body, the DeLorean represents a unique moment in automotive history, blending innovative design with a cult following.
Bricklin SV-1
"... you could pick the Laurean, if you like, and the Bricklin. Okay, yeah."
The Bricklin SV-1 is a unique car from the 1970s that was designed to be very safe. It has a special look and was one of the first cars to have features that protect drivers better in case of an accident.
The Bricklin SV-1 is a sports car produced in the 1970s, notable for its safety features and distinctive design. It was one of the first cars to incorporate safety innovations like a reinforced body and impact-resistant bumpers, making it a significant model in automotive history.
Tesla
"...at a price over 90,000, so 85, 90,000 range, are now Tesla's. Wow."
Tesla is a car company that makes electric cars. They are known for their high-tech features and have become very popular, especially for expensive cars.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its innovative approach to automotive design and technology. It has become a leader in the electric vehicle market, particularly in the luxury segment.
BMW
"What's his why, Mayor Sadie's and Jaguar and BMW are all making EVs in that price range"
BMW is a well-known car brand from Germany that makes luxury and sporty cars. They are now producing electric cars too.
BMW is a German automotive brand known for its sporty and luxury vehicles. They are also expanding their lineup to include electric vehicles (EVs) as part of their commitment to sustainability.
Jaguar
"What's his why, Mayor Sadie's and Jaguar are all making EVs in that price range"
Jaguar is a car brand from the UK that makes luxury cars. They are now also making electric cars to keep up with trends.
Jaguar is a British luxury vehicle brand known for its performance-oriented cars and elegant design. They are increasingly focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) to compete in the modern automotive market.
electric vehicles (EVs)
"But here's, this is the knob of the problem, and it's not that electric cars"
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. They are becoming more common because they are better for the environment.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars that are powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower environmental impact and advancements in battery technology.
cells
"It has 7,000 cells. He's hoping to get the next generation designed down to a few thousand cells."
Cells are the small parts inside a battery that hold energy. More cells usually mean more power and longer driving range for electric cars.
In the context of batteries, cells are the individual units that store and release electrical energy. The number of cells in a battery can affect its overall capacity and performance.
mining
"...requires mining a variety of minerals to make the battery."
Mining is when people dig into the ground to find valuable materials like metals and minerals. For electric car batteries, special materials are needed, and mining is how we get them.
Mining refers to the process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth. In the context of electric vehicle batteries, it involves obtaining essential minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which are crucial for battery production.
lithium-ion battery
"...but you need nickel and manganese and cobalt, lithium, you know, the, the melange of minerals that go into a battery."
A lithium-ion battery is a special kind of battery that can be charged and used again. It's important for electric cars because it holds a lot of energy and helps the car go far without needing to be recharged too often.
A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in electric vehicles (EVs) due to its high energy density and efficiency. It is made from various minerals, including lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt, which are essential for its performance.
internal combustion engine
"...electric car uses three times more copper than internal combustion engine. That should be unsurprising considering..."
An internal combustion engine is what most cars use to run. It burns fuel inside the engine to create power that makes the car move.
An internal combustion engine is a type of engine that generates power by burning fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, inside the engine's cylinders. This process creates combustion, which pushes pistons and ultimately drives the vehicle.
electric motor
"...you're replacing, you know, steel engine with, you know, a copper wound electric motor and a lot of electric bus bar. But the 300% increase is not nothing."
An electric motor is what makes electric cars move by using electricity instead of gasoline. It's different from regular car engines that burn fuel to create power.
An electric motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, commonly used in electric vehicles to drive the wheels. Unlike internal combustion engines, electric motors are typically more efficient and have fewer moving parts.
copper bus bar
"...a copper wound electric motor and a lot of electric bus bar. But the 300% increase is not nothing."
A copper bus bar is a piece of copper that helps carry electricity in electric cars. It connects different parts so that power can flow smoothly.
A copper bus bar is a conductive material used to distribute electrical power in electric vehicles and other electrical systems. It helps connect various components and ensures efficient power flow.
electric cars
"Batteries in electric cars today, 60 to 70% of the cost of making the batteries just the raw minerals, materials."
Electric cars use electricity to run instead of gasoline. They have batteries that store energy, which helps reduce pollution and can be cheaper to operate than regular cars.
Electric cars are vehicles that are powered entirely or partially by electricity, using batteries instead of traditional internal combustion engines. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and advancements in battery technology.
manufacturing machinery
"...the remaining 30%, which is the manufacturing machinery and labor, and electronics and the cooling system..."
Manufacturing machinery includes the machines used to make products. In this case, it's the equipment that helps build batteries for electric cars.
Manufacturing machinery refers to the equipment and tools used in the production of goods, including the assembly of electric vehicle batteries. The efficiency and cost of this machinery can significantly impact the overall cost of battery production.
cooling system
"...and electronics and the cooling system, and make that half as expensive..."
A cooling system keeps things from getting too hot. In electric cars, it helps keep the battery and motor at a safe temperature so they work well.
A cooling system in electric vehicles helps manage the temperature of the battery and electric motor. Proper cooling is essential to maintain performance and extend the lifespan of these components.
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