Electric vehicles are not worse for the environment than gas-powered cars because of battery production.

Question

Many claim that electric cars are actually worse than gas-powered vehicles, usually focused on the environmental costs of mining things like lithium, cobalt, and nickel used in EV battery life. Various independent lifecycle studies, however, have concluded EVs produce less overall pollution than gasoline-powered cars, even accounting for producing battery packs and electricity. There is certainly more environmental effect in the production of batteries, but this is regained after a few years of use with zero tailpipe emissions.

Answer 1

The claim that electric vehicles (EVs) are worse for the environment than gas-powered cars due to battery production is deeply misleading. Studies confirm EVs produce less overall pollution than gasoline vehicles, even accounting for battery manufacturing and electricity generation. Mining lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries has environmental costs, including toxic emissions, which can result in higher initial carbon emissions, which is about 60% more than gas cars. However, EVs offset this initial pollution within 1.4 to 2 years of driving due to zero tailpipe emissions and lower operational emissions, especially with cleaner grids. Over their lifetime, EVs emit roughly 15–25 tons of CO2 compared to 68 tons for gas cars. While battery production poses challenges, innovations in recycling and cobalt-free batteries are reducing impacts. The claim overstates mining concerns and ignores EVs’ long-term environmental benefits.

sources used: https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/are-electric-vehicles-definitely-better-climate-gas-powered-cars

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/23/do-electric-cars-really-produce-fewer-carbon-emissions-than-petrol-or-diesel-vehicles