Copper has been the material of choice for electrical connectors for over 200 years, which has been used in electrical wiring since the invention of the electromagnet and the telegraph in the 1820s. The invention of the telephone in 1876 created even further widespread demand for copper wire as an electrical conductor.
Copper is at the heart of the electric vehicle revolution as it plays a critical part in the 3 key areas of electrical transportation growth: energy storage, charging infrastructure, and the production of electric vehicles. Copper is significantly used in electric vehicles because of it’s low cost, paired with high durability, malleability and conductivity. On average, electric vehicles use up to 4 times more copper than regular gasoline vehicles. The average gasoline powered car requires 20kg of copper, while hybrid electric cars require 40kg, and fully electric cars can require as much as 80kg of copper per vehicle. Copper’s high conductivity means smaller motor components can be made, which can be packed much closer together translating to improved efficiency as less power is lost through poor conductivity.
Few metals can hold a candle to copper. It is a vital part of human civilization and development. Copper is a soft, malleable, ductile metal with high thermal and electrical conductivity and good resistance to corrosion. Although copper is used in a wide range of applications, approximately half of the global copper supply makes its way into buildings. On average, one home can contain 439 pounds of copper.
Currently copper is the 3rd most used metal on earth and plays a vital role in the transition to a renewable energy based economy. As an extremely versatile metal copper has a variety of uses for contributing to daily functions. Due to it’s high electrical and thermal conductivity, copper is a highly-efficient conduit which makes it ideal metal for electrical uses and in turn, renewable energy.
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