Cutting carbon emissions has been a global priority ever since it was discovered that the planet is slowly dying as a result of humans impacting climate change. Whether it be by using more renewable energies, or by ensuring all of the lights are switched off before leaving the house, the ways in which we attempt to reduce our carbon footprint, are fundamental. The global carbon footprint is made up of a vast combination of harmful activities, and 12% of these are related to car travel (Power, 2022). Unsurprisingly, this has meant that countries have begun to give a lot of attention to electric vehicles (EVs) - yet their drawbacks are harming the potential excellent impact that they could be having. This idea, in theory, is excellent - EVs emit zero direct tailpipe emissions, which is undoubtedly invaluable in terms of reducing pollution on the roads. In a world where fuel prices only seem to be rising, EVs save money, and many charging points allow cars to be charged for free. The cars require lower maintenance and perform better than a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car while reducing noise pollution and saving more energy through regenerative braking systems, where energy can be recovered by allowing the car to slow down rather than only using the brakes (Jain, 2022). What’s not to like? Yet, unfortunately, issues surrounding the energy these cars use, the existing and future infrastructure, and social problems which damage the industry, are limiting the global spread of these EVs. There are steps that need to be taken in order to mitigate problems like these, in order to make sure that such an innovative concept is able to legitimately live up to its potential.
Are these Electric Vehicles truly sustainable?
To begin, one of the most prevalent issues with current EVs relates to the batteries that are used in them. Manufacturers claim that these EVs are zero emissions, and are far better for the planet than normal ICE cars. Yet, when one considers the current processes surrounding the manufacturing of the vehicles, and the composition of these batteries that they use, there is a slightly different picture that is painted. Firstly, it is vital to understand how the batteries that power these vehicles are produced. Each battery is majorly reliant on lithium-ion batteries, and between 2015 and 2020, the global demand for these batteries has more than tripled. Naturally, this needs to be revised. Lithium is found predominantly in countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia - and the methods used to extract lithium are damaging environments. One of the main methods of lithium extraction is through water mining. Saline groundwater is pumped from the subsurface, and brine, containing lithium, is pumped through ponds where the impurities are precipitated (Heubl, 2019). Despite this method being relatively cheap, the main problem is that the large majority of the extracted brine water is lost to evaporation. This has caused aquifers to deplete and water supplies to become extremely low in these areas (Heubl, 2019). Our need and obsession for lithium batteries are currently creating massive water shortages around the world, and no one seems to be aware of this, highlighting the unsuitability and unsustainable nature of this method.
To make matters worse, cobalt, another crucial element required for these batteries - is not only finite but unfortunately mined with no consideration given to any human rights. 50% of the cobalt that we use comes from the Dominican Republic of Congo - and the mining in the DRC, ‘involves people of all ages, including children, obligated to work under harsh conditions. Of the 255,000 Congolese mining for cobalt, 40,000 are children, some as young as six years (Lawson, 2021). To be able to transparently state that every aspect of electric vehicles is green and sustainable, it is evident that the child labour and harsh working conditions associated with cobalt mining need to be assessed and changed, and as this topic inevitably becomes more and more present in the public eye, there is a danger that it may act as a deterrent for some in terms of switching to an EV, decelerating the global spread. The processes of obtaining 2 of the main elements that are used in batteries for EVs are detrimental to the environment and to human wellbeing, yet major companies continue to push the ‘green’ aspect of their product.
How can we be expected to undertake a large-scale and vital change away from ICE vehicles when the current alternative is simply not good enough? As stated, the idea itself is excellent, and there is still scope to correct the current wrongdoings and perfect this idea. A great place to start would be to begin thorough and severe oversight of the cobalt mines, particularly in the DRC. We need to completely eradicate the use of child labour and begin an extreme implementation of human rights programmes and education in theses areas. Furthermore, the mining of lithium needs to be made far more sustainable, in order to avoid the depletion of water resources and to stop harming the communities in which it takes place. We must firstly, ‘regulate and monitor the use of brines and make data about local water resources available and transparent’, secondly ‘strengthen environmental standards for mining operations and monitor activities’ as well as, ‘encourage, invest in, and implement alternative ways to obtain lithium’ (Blair et al, 2022). If, internationally, there can be a real, transparent, and effective effort to improve the sustainability of obtaining the required materials to go into the batteries for these vehicles, the legitimacy of their claim to being green will be far better, improving the overall argument to switch to EVs.
Drawbacks regarding current infrastructure for global electric vehicle implementation
In order to make a true dent in global vehicle carbon emissions, there is no doubt that every country needs to be involved in the effort to do so. One of the most simple and damaging challenges to spreading the adoption of EVs is the expensive yet critical infrastructure required. Most importantly, this relates to the charging infrastructure - or the lack of.
In 2022, a study undertaken by professional services company EY, concluded that ‘a lack of public charging infrastructure is the main barrier to EV adoption globally’ (EY, 2022), and this relates to consumer attitudes impacting making the switch. A large proportion of the global population has what is known as range anxiety - the fear of there not being sufficient charging points for the vehicle, resulting in an incapability to travel large distances without breaking down. Lots of current users will have an at-home charging facility, yet this can only be a reality for those who live in semi or detached housing - but those living in apartment blocks or flats do not have this luxury. To solve this issue, it is clear that globally, we require the same amount of electric charging stations as we currently have petrol stations - if not more, yet this poses a number of challenges. We require charging stations at regular points along motorways, a good spread throughout cities, as well as a large distribution throughout remote areas in the countrysides. Unfortunately, a number of charge post manufacturers ‘have disclosed that a global shortage of computer chips has slowed down their production. This shortage is directly linked to (COVID-19) pandemic-related constraints on the supply chain, and the UK faces additional delays due to new trade laws with Europe (Hakimian, 2021).
Unsurprisingly, this is not a cheap endeavour. In 2021, Europe had an estimated 375,000 fully operational EV charging stations across the continent - yet a study conducted by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association estimated that to support a large-scale transition to the EV, Europe would require at least 3.4 million charging points by the year 2030 (Conzade et al, 2022). Large grid upgrades are desperately required to support this, and there are fears that this increase in demand for electricity will only further the production of it via fossil fuels - not to mention that it is also estimated that this infrastructure boost will cost at least £240 billion (Conzade et al, 2022). The level of required commitment is enormous, and it is clear that ultimately, whether or not this gets done, lies in the hands of TNCs and governments. However, if this can be tackled properly by those in power, and the challenge of the lack of infrastructure is slowly eradicated, there is absolutely no doubt that we will see a meteoric rise in the number of those deciding to switch to an EV.
Why are we putting dirty energy into clean cars?
One of the most frustrating realities surrounding EVs is one that, in my opinion, wholly undermines the entire concept. To travel 100 miles, EVs typically require between 25 to 50kWh of electricity (ARE, 2021), but where is this electricity coming from? One would hope that we are using 100% renewable energy sources to power our environmentally friendly vehicles that are going to save the planet. Surely, it would be completely ineffective and hypocritical to then put electricity that has come from burning fossil fuels into these vehicles?
Unfortunately, the reality is underwhelming and greatly disappointing. A recent study undertaken by China’s Tsinghua University, ‘found that EVs charged in China contribute two to five times as much particulate matter and chemicals versus gas-engine cars’ (ARE, 2021). The emissions of the production of the electricity that we use in EVs can be up to five times as much as an ICE - and this has become widely accepted in global communities. This is unacceptable, and will continue to be an enormous barrier to the potential benefit of an EV, until something is done about it. The bottom line is until we can provide enough electricity that has come from a renewable source, such as wind, hydro, solar or geothermal power, the investment into their production will seem pointless to a large number of people. This, again, comes down to the same factor - money. Large amounts of money urgently need to be invested into these renewable energy sources - in order to supply the demand that will come should this transition begin to become more successful.
Government Policies
Another key issue surrounding the spread of EVs relates to Government Policies and different levels of prioritisation globally. It is clear that this switch requires heavy investment, yet there is a lack of consistent policy. The main issue is that there are few long-term and consistent policies in place that support a market for EVs. To understand the importance of this, the current policies and strategies implemented around the world should be examined.
The leading nation in terms of EV policy is Norway, which currently provides a plethora of incentives for investment in EVs. They have no purchase or import tax on EVs and an exemption from 25% VAT on the purchase. Those driving EVs do not have to pay any toll charges on toll roads, nor do they pay any charge on ferries. Drivers of EVs have access to bus lanes and the Norweigan Parliament also established a charging right for those living in apartment buildings. As well as this, the nation has established fast charging stations on all of the main roads in the country (Norsk elbiforening, 2023). These kinds of policies are what we need to be seeing across the globe, in order for a collective effort to make any kind of real difference.
We need to make switching to an EV an attractive option, one that would make no sense not to do - and policymakers are at the heart of this effort. The Netherlands is currently another great example of a nation that is attempting to make switching to EVs as attractive as possible. The Dutch government has created subsidies for those looking to buy EVs, and this is an excellent example of policy being used for good in this context. By doing this, the state is able to lower the overall price of an EV - and they provide up to $4,000 for every brand-new EV, and up to $2,000 for any used EV. As well as this, residents in most municipalities are able to request new public charging points to be installed, and this is free of charge - alongside free access to these public charging stations, with users only paying for the energy they take (a fraction of the cost of the equivalent in petrol), alongside another policy stating that from 2030 onwards, only emissions-free vehicles will be permitted to be sold and registered in the Netherlands (Wallbox, 2023). These types of incentives and policies are innovative and, in a perfect world, should be in place in every single country if we are serious about accelerating the global spread of these EVs.
Hope for the Future: barriers to Overcome
Electric Vehicles are and will be, vital for our efforts to combat the climate crisis which we have created for ourselves. The fact that transport contributes so heavily to our carbon footprint means that despite a plethora of barriers to the spread of EVs, we can not give up on their distribution.
I have highlighted what I believe to be the four largest barriers to a complete switch from ICE vehicles - the inadequate infrastructure, the damaging and unethical manufacturing processes, the use of dirty electricity, and the lack of comprehensive government policy in every single country. Naturally, there are plenty of other contributing factors to this argument, but if we are to begin by tackling these main factors, as a planet, we would be well on our way to starting to maximise the potential of electric vehicles - and the real, promising benefits that come with them.
Bibliography
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