EV: Good or bad?

The automotive realm of today is discussing many things, one of the most prevalent topics right now lies in the future of sustainable energy sources. As a basic principle commonly known among even the youngest of us, cars need a source of energy to move. This has been explored extensively for the past 20 years, seeing environmental indicators such as climate change and smog caused by emissions of gasoline and diesel automobiles and machinery. Breakthroughs like the hybrid electric car pioneered by the Toyota Prius and fully electric cars by the popular Tesla motors have been all the hype for environmentalists, and even those with tight wallets. But all of us have been told that the world will run out of oil, the primary ingredient for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. What can be done? How can we get from A to B without killing a polar bear?

Tesla Model X P90D, a fully electric, 3-row SUV

Tesla Model X P90D, a fully electric, 3-row SUV

Previously in the oil crisis of the 1970’s, engineers such of those for Volkswagen explored the concept of using massive batteries to power their iconic staple, the Microbus. This bus had an EV range of 47 miles and used a lead ion battery pack, that was interchangeable so you didn't have to wait for charge. This technology has improved today, with the new Tesla Model S reaching 300 miles, and charging in up to under 30 minutes.

(VW “Elektro-Bus” one of the 40 sold)

(VW “Elektro-Bus” one of the 40 sold)

So problem solved, right? We have saved the world! Well… not quite. While electric cars seem to be completely green and eco-friendly, you still can't see the environmental impacts that it has on the earth. First off, where does the electricity come from? Sixty-eight percent of electricity in the US is generated by coal burning power plants. While using electricity is only 10% inefficient as opposed to up to 80% inefficiency from the burning of gasoline, the energy comes from fossil fuels anyway. Not some windmill you see in iceland. The other main problem with electrically powered vehicles is the environmental impact generated from the manufacturing process of the batteries. Lithium mines in South American countries are under intense pressure, as the demand for lithium-ion batteries skyrockets. Extracted by use of heavy, fossil-fuel driven machinery, this construction destroys ecosystems, creates massive amounts of runoff, damages the worker’s health, and disrupts the geologic cycle. This, customers of the highly-anticipated Tesla Model 3 do not know of, as they think that they are doing the Earth a huge favor.

(Soquimich lithium mine in Chile)

(Soquimich lithium mine in Chile)

So are we doomed? Are we subject to the consequences of industrializing and improving human life on earth? The development of electric vehicles is just getting started, and we will continue to find improvements until we are forced to. But regardless of what the car is powered by, like everything on this planet we call home, it somehow, someway, is going to have an environmental impact. But for us, we have the responsibility of finding solutions to our own problems.

www.nationalreview.com/article/438642/electric-cars-environmental-impact-worse-advertised

Retrieved 28th September 2017, National Review

www.wired.com/2016/03/teslas-electric-cars-might-not-green-think/

Retrieved 28th September 2017, WIRED

newsroom.vw.com/vehicles/tbt-volkswagens-first-electric-bus/