Electric Vehicles: A Climate Savior or Just Noise?
As the world races toward a greener future, electric vehicles (EVs) are often hailed as a solution for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. With “zero emissions” advertisements plastered on their exteriors, EVs have captured the imagination of governments and environmental advocates alike. But are they truly the climate savior they are marketed to be, or does the hype exceed reality?
The good news is that EVs are better for our environment and health than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which run on burning oil. EVs are roughly half as polluting as ICE vehicles. However, this does not negate that their production and operation still contribute to carbon emissions and environmental impact. For instance, a report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) revealed that the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries, particularly the extraction and processing of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, all of which are significant raw materials used in the production process, produces significant emissions.
According to this report, although EVs create fewer emissions over their lifetime compared to ICE cars, the initial production phase of EVs, especially the battery, results in 80% more emissions than conventional vehicles, which indicates the need for more sustainable battery technologies and cleaner energy sources for both production and charging.
Another critical aspect that should be examined is the environmental impact of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which houses the majority of the world's cobalt reserves (also see Exploitation in our Phones: How the World Failed Congo). While cobalt is a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, contributing to the global push for renewable energy, the mining process itself raises serious environmental and ethical concerns.
Reports have highlighted that cobalt extraction often leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and contamination of water sources, severely affecting local ecosystems. Moreover, the improper disposal of mining waste contributes to air and water pollution, which not only harms biodiversity but also poses health risks to nearby communities. This paradox highlights the environmental costs of sourcing materials necessary for green technology, underscoring the need for sustainable mining practices in the transition to clean energy.
A report by the Global Forest Coalition revealed that extensive research has linked the mining of coltan, or columbite-tantalite, a metallic ore used in many modern electronic devices in the DRC to large-scale environmental degradation, with devastating consequences for the region. Other research by the Global Forest Watch platform revealed that the DRC has lost 8.6% of its tree cover since 2000, and coltan extraction has been identified as a major driver of deforestation.
Also, the manual process of separating minerals involves washing them in streams and rivers. This is done by using chemicals that pollute water bodies and produce radioactive substances harmful to aquatic life and human health according to GCF reporting.
Another important consideration is that the manufacturing process, particularly for the large lithium-ion batteries that power EVs, generates substantial carbon emissions. For instance, producing an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery, like the one used in a Tesla Model 3, can release between 2.5 and 16000 kg of CO2, depending on the energy source used in production. This means that building an EV can result in up to 80% more emissions than manufacturing a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.
Consequently, the environmental impact of EVs must be assessed not only in terms of their operational emissions but also through the full lifecycle of production, from mining raw materials to battery disposal. In other words, electric vehicles (EVs) may not emit greenhouse gasses from their tailpipes, but their "zero emissions" label is not entirely accurate. This highlights the need for greener energy sources in battery manufacturing to truly realize the benefits of EVs for environmental sustainability.
More research needs to be conducted to discover alternative ways of producing batteries, such as using more sustainable materials like sodium, sulfur, or even solid-state batteries, which are less dependent on scarce and ethically problematic resources like cobalt and lithium. These alternatives could significantly reduce the environmental and human costs associated with current battery production, paving the way for greener and more ethical energy storage solutions for electric vehicles.
In the short term, EVs may not offer the perfect zero-emissions solution. But in the long run, they are a part of the strategy to reduce carbon pollution and mitigate climate change. So, are they the true climate savior? Perhaps not on their own, but they are undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
**What then can we do? ** There are alternatives to driving, in some instances. They include walking more, as trekking can reduce carbon emissions by minimizing the use of vehicles. Walking not only reduces personal carbon footprints but also promotes healthier living. Another option is cycling, which offers similar benefits to walking while being faster and still emission-free. The recycling of EV batteries will also reduce carbon footprints while also generating recycling revenue as revealed by various research studies.
Additionally, increasing the use of public transportation can significantly lower overall emissions, as buses and trains carry more passengers, reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road. These methods, when adopted on a larger scale, contribute to reducing our environmental impact and easing the strain on our planet.
Download Earth Hero now to collectively address the climate crisis
