2026-06-19 · percent of refined copper use

Copper wires the energy transition

Construction and electronics dominate demand — EVs add growth.

Copper is the metal electrification runs on, and the 2026 end-use map shows a market still anchored in the built world: electronics take 31% of refined copper use, building and construction 28%, and transport, machinery and other uses the remaining 41%. EVs add growth on top — but wires, chips and buildings still set the pace.

1 cell = 0.1 percent of refined copper use (0.1% of copper end-use) · 1,000 cells

Context

Electronics are the single largest end-use at 31% of refined copper use in 2026, with building and construction close behind at 28%. The broad transport, machinery and other category covers the remaining 41%.

The shares come from the International Copper Study Group's end-use survey. The ICSG also publishes the World Copper Factbook, maintains a statistical database covering production, usage, trade, stocks and prices, and has issued a Copper Market Forecast for 2026–2027.

Electric vehicles add a growth layer on top of these established uses, tying copper demand ever more closely to the pace of the energy transition.

ICSG copper end-use survey shares.