# The Big Switch: Are Batteries the New Oil?

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2024-04-11
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil

## Summary

Dr. Melissa Lott hosts the season premiere of The Big Switch, featuring guests Alessandra Carrion, Professor Dan Steingart, and Tom Morinhaut, to examine the global supply chains for lithium-ion batteries. The episode dissects an 18650 cell from the original Tesla Roadster to explain the materials and manufacturing process, while analyzing how China’s dominance in refining and processing creates geopolitical leverage. The discussion contrasts the scale and security risks of critical minerals against oil, highlighting the economic and policy implications of the Inflation Reduction Act and global trade restrictions.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=0) Introduction: The Big Switch and Battery Supply Chains
- [1:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=101) Alessandra Carrion and the Evolution of Ford's Supply Chain
- [11:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=694) Dissecting the Tesla 18650 Cell with Dan Steingart
- [19:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=1192) The Battery Manufacturing Process: Mining to Pack Out
- [25:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=1509) China's Dominance and Geopolitical Leverage
- [34:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=2051) Comparing Critical Minerals to Oil with Jason Bordoff
- [40:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-11-the-big-switch-are-batteries-the-new-oil#t=2440) US Policy, Permitting Reform, and Indigenous Rights

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Tesla (company)
- Ford (company)
- General Motors (company)
- Columbia University (company)
- 18650 (product)
- Inflation Reduction Act (other)
- Dodd Frank Act (other)
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electric Car Superiority | The Supply Chain is All Mine | Cookies for Calculus](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-07-10-electric-car-superiority-the-supply-chain-is-all-mine-cookies-for-calculus) (EE Times Current)
- [EMS & The Economist: Geopolitical Factors Shaping the Manufacturing Sector](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-09-14-ems-the-economist-geopolitical-factors-shaping-the-manufacturing-sector) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [274: The Auto Rescue, Critical Minerals, and Moving Manufacturing Forward with Representative Haley Stevens](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-10-274-the-auto-rescue-critical-minerals-and-moving-manufacturing-forward-with-repr) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Same Wavelength](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-03-21-the-same-wavelength) (The Amp Hour)
- [From the Battlefield to the Supply Chain: A Marine’s Mission to Secure Critical Minerals with Ian Killough, President of Ridgeline Elements](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2025-02-10-from-the-battlefield-to-the-supply-chain-a-marines-mission-to-secure-critical-mi) (Tough Tech Vets)

## Citing this page

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