Industry Leaders: Automakers Must Cut EV Battery Weight in Half

Experts call for lighter batteries, diversification of fuels, and a shift away from private cars and towrad public transit.

1 minute read

April 10, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of electric car battery.

Sergii Chernov / Adobe Stock

The weight of electric car batteries should be cut in half for the vehicles to have a positive environmental impact, according to the CEO of auto manufacturer Stellantis Carlos Tavares, who made the comments during a virtual event for the Freedom of Mobility Forum.

According to an article in Transport Topics by Luke Ramseth, “Tavares said a lack of charging infrastructure remains a primary impediment to EV adoption. Chargers must be much more visible than they are today, he said, and shouldn’t require drivers to search for them.” Other industry experts also called for increased investment in biofuels.

Others at the event pointed out the need to move away from automobiles altogether. “Matthias Schmelzer, the German economic historian and climate activist, said that “we urgently need to shift the debate” away from cars, and toward better public transportation in cities.”

Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Transport Topics

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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Mary G., Urban Planner

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