Experts weigh in on claim that electric cars have a mining problem:
'These problems have always existed'
In recent months, there has been a slew of claims that electric vehicles' use of mineral mining causes more harm to the environment than traditional carbon-releasing cars. But is that true?
British right-wing politician Nigel Farage wrote of electric vehicles' "strain" on the environment that comes from mineral mining.
However, EV mythbusters, a series of articles put out by the Guardian, relies on a scientific foundation for weighing in on claims such as these. The claim that mineral mining is worse for the environment as it depletes more mineral resources than combustion-based cars was debunked by science.
The International Energy Agency estimated that electric cars use 381 pounds more of minerals such as lithium, nickel, and copper compared to internal combustion engine cars.
However, scientists found that the mineral use for electric cars in the long run is actually far lower than gasoline and diesel's mineral usage when accounting for oil needed for fuel-burning cars.
Experts also describe another important factor that most are missing when addressing mineral usage of electric cars: The majority of battery minerals used in cars are likely to be recycled. This will drastically reduce the wasted material, compared with dirty energy sources, which are used up and create planet-warming pollution in the process.David Bott at the Society of Chemical Industry told the Guardian: "The real thing people forget is once it has been mined, you will end up being able to reuse 80-90% of the metals. You don't have to go back to the planet to steal more minerals."Skeptics of EVs, however, are quick to point out the damage that mineral mining has on the environment as a reason why EVs are not worth an investment.Mark Dummett, the head of business and human rights at Amnesty International, spoke to the Guardian about the claims: "These problems have always existed in mining. I strongly believe that this problem has been exaggerated hugely by opponents of the energy transition, the fossil fuel lobby."
Myth #1: Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of power plant emissions.
FACT: Electric vehicles (EVs) typically have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline cars, even when accounting for the electricity used for charging, plus they are far more efficient when it comes to energy use.
Myth #2: Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of battery manufacturing.
FACT: The greenhouse gas emissions associated with an electric vehicle over its lifetime are typically lower than those from an average gasoline-powered vehicle, even when accounting for manufacturing.
Myth #3: Electric vehicle batteries are unreliable and need to be replaced every few years.
FACT: Electric vehicle battery replacements due to failures are uncommon.
Myth #4: The increase in electric vehicles entering the market will collapse the U.S. power grid.
FACT: Electric vehicles have charging strategies that can prevent overloading the grid, and, in some cases, support grid reliability.
Myth #6: Electric vehicles don’t have enough range to handle daily travel demands.
FACT: Electric vehicle range is more than enough for typical daily use in the U.S.
Myth #7: Electric vehicles are not as safe as comparable gasoline vehicles.
FACT: Electric vehicles must meet the same safety standards as conventional vehicles.
Footnote:
1. I post the data from the EPA now while it is still available to the public. I anticipate that within the next ~2 months, DJT will order the removal of inconvenient data like this to support the massive carbon energy sector propaganda and lies effort regarding EVs and climate change. In return, the carbon energy sector will quietly provide a gratuity to DJT for doing a good job.
