By Aiden Forusz, Year 13
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are often recognized as the solution to reducing carbon emissions in the ground transportation sector. With zero emissions on the road, EVs don’t directly contribute to climate change or emit greenhouse gasses, presenting them as the perfect alternative to gas guzzling cars. However, behind this green image there’s a complicated environmental dilemma involving the materials used to create the batteries that power these vehicles.
Lithium-ion batteries lie at the heart of EVs, which mainly consist of lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The process of extracting and transporting these valuable metals from the mine to the factory is significantly resource intensive, requiring vast amounts of energy and water. The processes used in mining lithium often involve inhumane working conditions, deforestation, and water pollution, all of which take a great toll on the environment. One example of this can be the Chinese-owned ‘Arcadia Mine’ located in Zimbabwe, which experienced two deaths in 2023 due to the mine’s poor supervision.
Even after these drawbacks are taken into account, it’s important to note that these batteries only last around 10 to 20 years on average. Once their lifespans have passed, these batteries will then need to be disposed of. Properly disposing of these batteries is a challenge, as the toxic metals used to produce them can leak into the environment if they’re not handled correctly. While recycling technology does exist, they are often costly, energy intensive, and can produce waste, leading to it being partially ineffective and out of reach to many.
Moreover, the electricity used to power EVs during their 10 to 20 years of service is often generated from fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. While this may not be as much of an issue in Switzerland, China is home to 58% of the world’s EVs yet 62% of their electricity is produced by coal. This clearly shows how even though electricity in itself can be considered ‘clean’, in many countries where EVs are used frequently, that electricity comes from carbon emitting sources.
Looking into the horizon, the future of the EV industry seems promising. Advancements are being made to address the current environmental challenges posed by EVs, like new and longer lasting batteries which rely less on rare minerals. Furthermore, the global shift to renewable energy will continue to minimize the environmental impact of the electricity used to power EVs and recycle their batteries. Therefore, with these innovations, it’s clear that EVs have the potential to become even cleaner and a truly sustainable method of transportation.
In conclusion, while EVs are often portrayed as the ideal green solution to regular cars, they still carry a wide range of environmental costs – from the impacts of mining and recycling their batteries to the fossil fuel based electricity that powers them. However, current and future technological developments can turn EVs into a truly green mode of travel, allowing them to fulfill their potential as a sustainable solution for the future of the transportation industry.
