27 Sept 2025
Copper – the metal of the future in the era of electromobility
The growing significance of copper in electromobility and renewable energy sectors increasingly leads to its reference as the 'red gold' of the 21st century.
Copper as the Foundation of Energy Transformation
For thousands of years, copper has accompanied humans in tools, installations, and electronics. Today, copper is re-emerging on the front pages of economic reports as one of the key metals of the future. Its unique properties – the highest electrical conductivity among industrial metals, ductility, and resistance to corrosion – make it indispensable in modern technologies.
Electromobility – Four Times More Copper
An average electric car contains between 60 to 80 kg of copper. This is more than three times that of a combustion vehicle, where copper is mainly limited to the basic electrical installation. In electric vehicles, copper is used in motors, batteries, high-voltage cables, and cooling systems. Even charging infrastructure – especially fast DC chargers – requires thick copper wires to safely transmit large amounts of energy.
Green Energy Based on Copper
Electric cars are just part of the puzzle. Copper plays a huge role in the energy transformation – in photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and smart energy grids. It is estimated that each megawatt of energy from a wind farm requires approximately 3.6 tonnes of copper, and in the case of photovoltaics – up to 4 tonnes.
Main areas where copper is indispensable:
motors and batteries of electric vehicles,
charging stations and energy infrastructure,
wind turbines and photovoltaic panels,
smart transmission grids (smart grids).
Market Perspectives
According to forecasts by the International Energy Agency, global copper demand could increase by 40–50% by 2040. This is not only due to electromobility but also the electrification of industry and the development of digital technologies. Consequently, copper is becoming an increasingly strategic raw material – alongside lithium and cobalt – in building the future of a net-zero economy.
Summary
Copper is no longer just an ‘ordinary’ metal used in cables. It is a pillar of the modern economy, underpinning the development of electromobility, green energy, and smart transmission networks. One can confidently say that without copper, the energy transformation simply would not succeed.
