California made a stunning decision last year – that by 2035, all new cars sold in the state must contain at least 2.5 times more copper than regular cars today. Of course, that’s not literally what the mandate says, but it’s the practical effect of mandating that all cars be electric within the next 12 years. “Big Shovel” will compete with “Big Oil” as mining ramps up to supply a huge surge in the wide range of minerals that the energy transition requires. But getting everything it needs will be difficult.

Daniel Jergin