As the world moves to electrify its transportation services, it will slightly turn away from oil, and dramatically towards an alternate range of commodities, leading to new and different supply risks and opportunities.

Electric power plants, motors and generators are well proven technologies, and the techniques for manufacturing electric systems are well understood. Not much novelty there. R&D in batteries continues apace. The problem is that the raw materials for a wholesale shift to battery electric transportation may not be in sufficient supply to meet the potential demand. And it’s not just lithium that may be a problem.

Theres also copper, nickel, cobalt, and other rare Earth metals. 

Resource producing countries face unique opportunities to capture the high value commodities of the future. Or they can face a series of helium-like moments. It’s not too late to chose.