A Gas You Rarely Think About Could Slow Down Electric Cars

Another Curveball for EV AdoptionElectric vehicles were already experiencing a slowdown amid shifting policies, especially in the U.S., where the $7,500 tax credit ended last year. Now, there could be further disruption. Stephan Keese, senior partner at Roland Berger North America, told Automotive News that the war in Iran could constrict the supply of helium, which is used in semiconductor manufacturing and is especially important for EV plans, as technologies like advanced driver-assistance systems and software-heavy architectures rely heavily on those components.As a result, Keese argued that a potential helium shortage could force automakers to shift their focus back toward combustion vehicles and hybrids equipped with fewer advanced electronics. Automakers that are doubling down on EVs are likely to be the most affected, while those taking …