Platinum’s got a perfect storm brewing, and robotaxis are part of the fuel. First off, here is the chart of the Platinum ETF (PLTM):
The metal is launching, and no one, I mean no one, is talking about it. Platinum’s got a perfect storm brewing, and robotaxis are part of the fuel.
Platinum’s a rare metal with a gritty edge. Unlike gold, which sits pretty in vaults, platinum’s a heavy hitter in industry—over 50% of its demand comes from catalytic converters in cars, cleaning up emissions from diesel and gasoline engines.
Now, you’re thinking, “Christian, robotaxis are electric, right? No tailpipes, no platinum.” Not so fast. The robotaxi boom, led by players like Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise, is indeed EV-heavy, but the broader auto market remains a stronghold of combustion engines.
The International Energy Agency projects internal combustion vehicles will make up 60% of global car sales through 2030, especially in emerging markets. Stricter emissions rules in Europe, China, and even California mean automakers are cramming more platinum into catalytic converters to meet compliance. Robotaxis might be the future, but the present’s still a platinum hog.
Here’s where robotaxis juice the story. These autonomous fleets aren’t just EVs; they’re data centers on wheels, guzzling power for sensors, LIDAR, and AI compute. To keep costs down and range up, some companies are exploring hybrid systems—gas-electric combos that use platinum-laden catalytic converters. Waymo is testing hybrid Jaguar I-PACE models in select markets, and Chinese robotaxi startup Pony.ai is piloting Toyota hybrids. Why? Hybrids are cheaper to scale than pure EVs, especially in regions with spotty charging grids. This trend is small now but growing, and every hybrid robotaxi on the road means more platinum demand.
Supply Down
Supply, meanwhile, is choking. South Africa, which mines 70% of global platinum, is a trainwreck. Aging shafts, labor disputes, and Eskom’s crumbling power grid have production at a 30-year low, down 5% in 2024, per the World Platinum Investment Council.
Russia’s output—10% of the pie—is hamstrung by sanctions and export curbs. New mines? They’re a pipe dream, needing a decade and billions to come online. The result’s a 2025 deficit forecast of 476,000 ounces, the third year of shortages. Robotaxi fleets, hybrid or not, are piling pressure on an already stretched market.
The macro situation also favors Platinum. The Fed will have to cut rates soon which will spark manufacturing and auto production.
Robotaxi deployments are capital-intensive, and cheaper borrowing greenlights expansion. Inflation’s still a ghost in the machine, making platinum a dual-play: industrial metal with a hedge kicker. Unlike gold, it’s got real-world utility, especially as robotaxi networks scale.
Don’t miss the green angle. Platinum’s the backbone of hydrogen fuel cells, which are gaining traction in heavy-duty transport—think trucks and buses. But here’s the twist: some robotaxi operators are eyeing fuel cells for long-haul routes. GM’s working with Honda on fuel-cell tech that could power autonomous shuttles, and Hyundai’s Nexo platform is being tested in Seoul’s robotaxi trials. The Hydrogen Council sees fuel-cell vehicle demand soaring tenfold by 2035. That’s a platinum tailwind.
And as you call tell by the chart platinum’s stirring is launching. At $1,300 an ounce in June 2025, it’s up 33% this year, with technicals screaming breakout. The 200-day moving average is climbing, RSI’s got room to run, and hedge funds are piling in—net longs are at a two-year high, per CFTC. Robotaxi buzz is drawing investor eyes, and platinum’s undervalued versus palladium, trading at a 1.5:1 ratio when history says 1:1’s fair.
Why’s platinum soaring? Shrinking supply, relentless demand from autos—including robotaxi hybrids—green-tech upside, and a market waking up. Robotaxis aren’t just a tech story; they’re a platinum catalyst. Get positioned before the crowd catches on.
All the best,
Christian DeHaemer
Outsider Club
P.S. Check out our free report on three Robotaxi stocks to buy under $5.
P.P.S. Check out our new video here where I tell you what Platinum stock to buy today. I just bought some myself. This could be a 10- bagger. Well, a 5 bagger anyway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txIfbpjGznk. Plus, Brit has a great idea on a call option.
