Silver

Silver is the most electrically and thermally conductive of all metals, which makes it indispensable in modern automotive electronics despite its relatively high cost. Each conventional vehicle contains approximately 15–28 grams of silver, while electric vehicles can require 25–50 grams or more due to the greater number of electronic control units, inverters, and high-current busbars. In automotive applications, silver is used in printed circuit board contacts, membrane switches, RFID components, soldering alloys, and thick-film paste for rear window defoggers. Silver-based brazing alloys join components in air conditioning systems and fuel cell stack assemblies. The rapid growth of battery electric vehicles is a significant demand driver: EV inverters use silver-coated copper busbars, and the power electronics in a 100 kWh BEV can contain 50+ grams of silver. Silver is also critical in photovoltaic cells, meaning automotive and energy storage demand compete within the same supply chain. Silver is mined as a primary product and as a byproduct of copper, lead, and zinc mining. Mexico, Peru, and China are the leading producers. The autocatalyst and electronics recycling industry recovers meaningful quantities of silver, supporting secondary supply.