Are Lubbock Penny Pinchers Being Shortchanged By a Nickel Shortage?

"Look at this photograph..." ~Nickelback

I'll admit that I was skeptical at first when I heard that there was a shortage of nickels that are affecting the supply chain (that damn supply chain again). Then I had a conversation with someone who knows a guy who went to school with this girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night who's brother works at a bank and said that there is a run on nickels because of Ukraine.

I guess it's pretty serious.

No problem whatsoever.

Then, I hit up the Googlewebs.

Wait, so, it's not actual nickels? It's the nickel that we use for electric cars?

Ummm, that's worse.

via GIPHY

While we deal with nearly $4 gas prices and the clueless asking us to instead spend our money on electric cars, the nickel that powers the batteries for these luxury go-karts is in short supply because of the war in Ukraine.

According to the newshawks at CNBC, even Elon Musk might be a little concerned:

As automakers around the world set bold targets for vehicle electrification, many in the industry are looking to nickel — an integral component of most lithium ion batteries — as a major hurdle.

While there’s enough nickel in the ground to support a major EV ramp up, there are not enough planned mining projects or processing facilities to make the type of high-grade nickel that’s needed for EV batteries.

So what does that mean for those of us who drive regular old-fashioned, gas-powered, non-communist cars? Not a lot. Except that electric cars prices could go up if they can't get the nickel needed for batteries, which means that when they open that new Tesla dealership on 82nd Street there may be a line.

But that doesn't have much to do with actual dinero nickels since they're primarily made of* old chewing gum wrappers and copper. Even though some people insist that banks are running out of nickels, the fact is that there is nothing to worry about along those lines, so don't rush done to Happy State Bank and withdraw your life savings in nickels. I have, however, raided my dad's old change jar for reasons unrelated to the nickel shortage.

Meanwhile, Nickelback could not be reached for comment as they have a shortage of talent.

*Fact check needed