Meeting Battery Electric Vehicle Demand with a Focus on Throughput Capacity Across the Transport Nodes in the Upstream Cobalt Supply Chain

Author

• Nicholas J. Visconti, University of North AlabamaFollow

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

First Advisor

Dr. Justin Wayne Carter

Abstract

This study assesses whether cobalt transport capacity in sub-Saharan Africa is sufficient to support projected battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand under the Paris Accord. Using open-source data from ArcGIS, the Highway Capacity Manual, and the World Bank, the analysis applies a simplified linear programming approach to estimate the maximum throughput of the primary transport corridor connecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Port of Durban. The model identifies significant constraints along the Rutenga-to-Beitbridge segment, reducing network capacity to an estimated 42,494 tons of ore per day. When converted to refined cobalt, this capacity falls well short of the volume required to meet 2030 BEV targets. These findings suggest that transportation bottlenecks, rather than mining output alone, pose a substantial limitation on cobalt availability and should be a focal point for policymakers and supply chain planners.

Recommended Citation

Visconti, Nicholas J., "Meeting Battery Electric Vehicle Demand with a Focus on Throughput Capacity Across the Transport Nodes in the Upstream Cobalt Supply Chain" (2026). Dissertations. 10.
https://roar.una.edu/dissertations/10