Side-by-side comparison
Copper vs Aluminum
Copper and aluminum are both critical electrification metals that compete directly in transmission lines and EVs. Aluminum is ~40% the price of copper by weight but ~60% as electrically conductive. When the copper/aluminum spread widens, grid builders substitute toward aluminum.
Copper vs Aluminum
Copper vs Aluminum chart
Chart by TradingView
Frequently asked questions
About Copper vs Aluminum
Can aluminum replace copper in electrical wiring?
Partially. Aluminum is widely used in high-voltage transmission lines but rarely in building wiring (fire risk, connection integrity issues). EVs increasingly use aluminum busbars alongside copper windings.
Which has more upside, copper or aluminum?
Copper typically has stronger pricing power because it is harder to substitute and has a tighter supply chain (Chile concentration, long mine development lead times).