Ferrari, BMW and Stellantis shift to aluminium wiring for EVs as copper hits 15,000 dollars per tonne
By Eve
Ferrari, BMW and Stellantis are following Tesla and Chinese manufacturers in adopting aluminium wiring for electric vehicles, driven by copper prices that reached 15,000 dollars per tonne in early 2026. Aluminium currently trades around 3,100 dollars per tonne, creating a price ratio above 4.2 to 1 that makes substitution economically compelling for automakers. JPMorgan estimates this shift already affects approximately 2 per cent of global copper demand in 2026.
Why it matters: The move to aluminium wiring by major OEMs will influence component specifications and supply chains for charging infrastructure, where copper remains standard in cables and connectors. Procurement teams may face pressure to evaluate aluminium alternatives if the copper price premium persists, though charging equipment faces different technical constraints than vehicle harnesses.