A helium shortage could slow the electric vehicle market: because of the conflict in the Middle East, supplies of the gas needed for semiconductor production are under threat. The electric vehicle market is already under pressure due to policy changes, including the cancellation of purchase subsidies in the United States. Now the situation could be complicated by the risk of a helium shortage, which is used in chip manufacturing.
Roland Berger senior partner Stefan Kiese said that disruptions in helium supplies could affect the production of automotive electronics. This is especially critical for electric vehicles, which use complex driver assistance systems and software architectures.
About 33% of global helium supplies come from the Middle East, mainly from Qatar. Damage to a production facility has been reported, increasing risks for supply chains. Another 47% of supplies come from North America, so the shortage could affect Asia.
Against the backdrop of possible restrictions, automakers may temporarily shift their focus toward hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles, which require less complex electronics. Companies with a diversified strategy, with Toyota being a prime example, gain greater flexibility.
Modern autopilot systems require significant resources. According to SAE International, Level 4 systems use more than 300 GB of memory, while Level 2 solutions, including BlueCruise and Full Self-Driving, require about 16 GB.
At the same time, rising fuel prices are also putting pressure on the market, increasing interest in hybrids. The overall consequences of supply disruptions have not yet been determined, but they could worsen the problem of vehicle affordability.
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