The electric vehicle friendly LIE!

Why Electric Vehicles May Not Be Better for the Environment: An In-Depth Look

“People are finally seeing reality,” Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda said at the Japan Mobility Show

Electric vehicle owners report 80% more problems than with conventional cars and trucks amid ‘growing pains’ for the industry, Consumer Reports says

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars, promising reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a path towards a sustainable future. However, the environmental benefits of EVs are more nuanced than they appear at first glance. The reasons why electric vehicles may not be as beneficial for the environment as commonly believed, focus on the destruction caused by mining, labor issues, and the challenges associated with recycling lithium-ion (LiPo) batteries. LiPo batteries in EVs have environmental impacts, particularly related to their production and disposal

What impact does the mining required for electric vehicle batteries have on the environment?

The production of electric vehicles heavily relies on the extraction of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are essential for LiPo batteries. This mining process can lead to significant environmental destruction, including habitat loss, soil erosion, water pollution, and a decrease in biodiversity. The extraction of these minerals often occurs in sensitive ecosystems, compounding the environmental damage. Additionally, the energy-intensive nature of mining these minerals contributes to the overall carbon footprint of electric vehicles.

How do labor issues in the mining industry affect the ethical considerations of electric vehicle production?

The mining of minerals necessary for electric vehicle batteries raises serious ethical concerns, particularly regarding labor practices. In some countries, the mining industry is notorious for poor working conditions, exploitation of workers, child labor, and violation of human rights. These labor issues present a moral dilemma for consumers and manufacturers of electric vehicles, as the demand for these minerals can inadvertently support and perpetuate these unethical practices.
LiPo batteries, like other lithium-ion batteries, require the extraction of lithium, cobalt, and nickel, among other materials. The extraction process can have significant environmental impacts, including water pollution and habitat destruction.

Why is the recycling of old LiPo batteries a significant concern for the environment?

Recycling lithium-ion batteries is a complex and costly process. Currently, the recycling rates for LiPo batteries are relatively low due to the technical challenges involved in breaking down and safely extracting valuable materials. This lack of efficient recycling processes means that many old batteries end up in landfills, where they can leak toxic substances into the soil and water, posing serious environmental and health risks. Furthermore, the energy required for recycling these batteries can be substantial, further increasing the environmental impact of electric vehicles.

Are there viable solutions to address the environmental and ethical concerns associated with electric vehicles?

To mitigate the environmental and ethical concerns associated with electric vehicles, several strategies can be pursued. These include improving mining practices through stricter regulations and oversight to ensure environmentally friendly and ethical labor practices. Additionally, investing in research and development to enhance battery recycling technologies is crucial to increase recycling rates and reduce the environmental footprint of battery disposal. Finally, the development of alternative battery technologies that rely on more abundant, less environmentally damaging materials could significantly reduce the impact of electric vehicles.

And reliability, not really

Excuses are like, you know. Doesn’t everyone know you don’t purchase a new model car the first year of production.

Electric cars are mostly new models, and recently-introduced car models generally tend to have more issues, regardless of what propels them. Car companies haven’t had years to work out all the kinks as they have the models they’ve been producing for years.

Besides that, electric vehicles tend to be higher priced models with more sophisticated technology features, from additional safety sensors to more gadgets and doo-dads. All those fancy features present more opportunities for stuff to go wrong.

Electric cars pollute 1,850 times more than fuel-based vehicles, study finds The 2022 U.K.-based Emissions Analytics study found that after driving both a gas and electric car 1,000 miles, the number of particles collected from the EV was vastly greater than the gasoline-powered car. “The 2022 study from the U.K.-based Emissions Analytics group found that during a 1,000 mile journey, EVs release 1,850 times more pollutants into the surrounding environment than gas-powered vehicles, due to the heavier weight which eats through tires. While many think of emissions from exhaust, tire wear plays a significant role in emitting pollutants. The synthetic rubber used to create tires include certain chemicals that get released into the air, and because EVs are significantly heavier than conventional cars due to massive lithium batteries. Overall, EVs weigh about 30 percent more than gas-powered vehicles, and cost thousands more to make and buy. These issues are in addition to the fact that they are not suitable in colder climates (such as Canada and the northern U.S.), offer poor range and long charging times (especially in cold weather), and have batteries that take tremendous resources to make and are hard to recycle. “