Many people tend to associate electric cars with a greener planet.
But is this an apt association?
What you may not know is that EVs come with their own environmental cost.
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So, what are the downsides of electric cars, and why are they bad for the environment?
The Manufacturing Process
Like any other vehicle, EVs need to be manufactured.
It’s also important to note that battery production is at the core of the EV manufacturing process.
We use electricity all day, every day, in almost every aspect of our lives.
But most of our electricity is produced using non-renewable resources, including fossil fuels.
This isn’t the case across the board, however.
But, globally, we still rely heavily on non-renewable resources to provide electricity.
So charging an electric car still leaves a carbon footprint, however indirect it may be.
EV Batteries Require Rare Metal Extraction
One of the biggest cons of electric cars is their batteries.
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The majority ofEV manufacturers use lithium-ion batteriesfor their electric cars (thoughother EV battery types do exist).
Lithium is an elemental metal extracted from the planet via an evaporation process or ore mining.
But both of these extraction processes have an environmental impact.
Let’s start with lithium evaporation.
In certain countries, such as Argentina, lithium is harbored in salt deserts.
One of the most lithium-rich salt deserts is the Salar de Atacama, Chile.
The saltwater of the Atacama Desert contains lithium, which is extracted via evaporation and then stored in basins.
But this is not a harmless process.
When it comes to lithium ore mining, the situation is similarly dire.
Lithium ore mining often involves the extraction of clay ore.
But lithium ore mining is no friend to the planet.
This alarming statistic shows just how much this process is contributing to climate change.
But it doesn’t stop there.
A variety of other metals are also used in EV batteries, including cobalt and nickel.
The increasing demand for EV batteries, and therefore the metals within, is a huge cause for concern.
As you likely know, tires wear down over time and must be replaced.
This is because as our tires work away on the road, tiny particles are released from friction.
Unfortunately, it’s these particles that pose a big environmental issue.
In fact,Emissions Analyticsbelieves that tire emissions could be 1,000 times worse than exhaust emissions.
Tires contain a range of carcinogens, such as dibenzopyrenes.
When these particles pollute bodies of water, they can harm aquatic life.
When they pollute the air we breathe, we are also at risk.
The situation is similar with brake emissions.
EV Battery Disposal
As previously discussed, EV batteries require certain metals to operate.
These materials aren’t just an extraction issue; they’re also a disposal issue.
Given that many EV brands use lithium-ion batteries, the disposal process has become an environmental concern.
But there is a solution to this issue.
EV batteries can be recycled so their effect on our planet is substantially lessened.
EV battery recycling is a hot topic, with more and more batteries expiring after long-term use.
Various suggestions have been made onhow EV batteries can find a new lease of life.
These options can greatly reduce EV waste and take some pressure off our environment.
To create and operate EVs, our planet must still pay a price.
