North America needs a domestic supply chain for electric vehicle batteries — but it has to be sustainable and ethical.

Demand for EVs in the U.S. is certain to soar in the coming years, but manufacturers won’t be able to meet it without domestically sourcing a substantial number of components — especially batteries. Currently they’re relying far too heavily on raw materials from China. But the shift must be accompanied by an emphasis on sustainable production and the ethical treatment of workers. How can all of these requirements be met? On this episode, we speak with Eric Desaulniers, chief executive officer of Nouveau Monde Graphite, which recently signed a $50 million deal with GM and Panasonic Energy to supply natural graphite for their EV batteries. Desaulniers reviews the geopolitical issues that are impacting the EV battery supply chain, and the “massive” challenge that U.S. manufacturers face in bringing it home. Hosted by Bob Bowman, Editor-in-Chief of SupplyChainBrain.

Show notes:

NMG’s deal with GM and Panasonic.