Apple reportedly looking to buy Cobalt directly from miners. The metal is used in lithium-ion batteries in Apple's devices, but it can also power electric vehicles. Shares of Apple up half a percent on Wednesday. Inverse Technology Reporter Mike Brown explains how this move might help Apple further its dominance in the tech space.
"There's a race at the moment for supplies over the coming few years," says Brown. Electric vehicles use about 1,000 times as much Cobalt as smartphone devices.
"It would be the first time Apple secured its own Cobalt supply so it could help to re position itself as a company, rather than going to factory manufacturers that deal directly with suppliers itself," says Brown.
Cheddar News senior reporter, Michelle Castillo joined Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, for a ride in the new ID.Buzz electric van at South by Southwest. Keogh touched on issues from the auto giant's commitment to electrification and achieving carbon neutrality to the need for more charging infrastructure to support the electric vehicle wave. "We made a commitment to be CO2 neutral, and I think the reason it is, simplistically is, we're the world's largest car company. We're responsible for 1 percent of global CO2 emissions, and frankly, leaders have to lead and so that's what we want to do," he said.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Monday laid out a proposal that would require businesses to disclose the emissions they produce. Kathleen Rogers, CEO & President at EARTHDAY.ORG, joined Cheddar News to break down the implications of this historic step.
Electric car manufacturer Tesla opened its first European factory on the outskirts of Berlin in an effort to challenge German automakers on their home turf.