The Electric Vehicle Controversy

Do you believe EVs are a way to achieve net zero? For my first blog post, I thought it would be interesting to talk about an issue I personally would be curious to see unfold: how the auto-industry is affected by the increased rationale for sustainability in the future. With electric cars like Tesla making a strong inroads (my parents even bought one), it seems like they will be the future of the industry. For climate enthusiasts, this is great news. However, I sit more on the fence about the topic due to my deep appreciation for an internal combustion engine (ICE). Surely, there are also thousands of people on the other side of the fence. This was made apparent with the debut of the electric Dodge Challenger, an American muscle car loved for its gas-powered V8 engine producing an astounding 400 horsepower, became the source of a very controversial topic for car-enthusiasts. The idea of a loved gas-powered car being converted into something with a “fake” motor was very repelling. As much as I want to be a proud supporter that EVs are our future I believe there are still logistical issues which need correction such as pricing and battery sources. 

Fully electric vehicles (EVs) have no tailpipe emissions, so if it were possible to swap out all conventional combustion engines on the road with electric engines, a major step toward decarbonization of the economy would be achieved. Climate activists know that a significant and very necessary way to reduce carbon emissions is to address the emissions produced by the transportation and auto industry. Currently, the largest source of climate pollution in our country occurs in the transportation industry. Emissions from vehicles are not only extremely harmful for our atmosphere, but also for health, causing various respiratory issues. 

Everyone knows that electric cars are much more eco-friendly than an internal combustion engine vehicle, so why do we see so much reluctance when purchasing electric vehicles? Personally, the financials behind the industry have always confused me. If companies are so desperately trying to make the shift to electric vehicles, why do they price their EV’s so much higher than other standard models? Naturally, people would be hesitant to purchase an EV when they could just as easily purchase an ICE vehicle for 15-20K cheaper. The push for an all electric future would be so beneficial to our environment, but the plausability of it still remains murky due to all of the unresolved issues which come with a sudden dive into a new industry. 

When people hear of the “battery” in EVs, they jump to the assumption that the battery is automatically more eco-friendly than the standard internal combustion engine. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that EVs can still be powered by electricity generated from fossil fuels meaning that the emissions for EVs are not reducing, they are just being produced from/at a different source.The lithium batteries that EVs run on are extremely toxic to the environment because its manufacturing process requires mining for the raw materials it is composed of. Other concerns are that these batteries are being mined in countries where labor laws are lacking leading to other inequities and environmental impacts that are not being accounted for. The European Environment Agency found that production of EVs releases 1.3 to 2 times the amount of greenhouse gasses compared to gas-powered cars. 

Disposability of the battery also is a major drawback to EVs. The environmental impacts to produce the batteries are rather heavy. In order to minimize this impact, the life cycle of the batteries must be extended. EV batteries must remain in use longer on and off the road. Perhaps the life of the battery can be prolonged by being reused in cars or repurposed to continue to generate energy. 

Despite all of the current flaws, I believe EVs still have the potential to be the savior to our environmental crisis. When EVs are powered by renewable energy sources, the amount of emissions they produce are practically none. Encouraging the use of electric vehicles creates a more focused environment and makes the transition to a more sustainable future much more efficient.