Electric cars have long been hailed as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. However, the reality of how “green” electric cars truly are is a bit more complicated than it may seem at first glance.
On the one hand, electric cars produce zero emissions while driving, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, as the grid becomes cleaner with the adoption of renewable energy sources, the environmental impact of charging electric cars decreases further.
However, the production of electric cars still requires significant energy and resources, including mining for materials like lithium and cobalt, which can have negative environmental consequences. Additionally, the batteries used in electric cars have a limited lifespan and can be challenging to recycle.
Overall, electric cars are a step in the right direction towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change. However, it is essential to consider their full life cycle and continue to work towards making the entire process more sustainable.
Watch an interesting video on this topic: How green are electric cars? | It's Complicated
There’s no denying that Electric vehicles are what most of us will be driving in the near-future. Countries around the world have pledged to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles over the next few decades, in an effort to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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But with lingering questions over the mining of rare metals, battery manufacturing and electricity consumption, Josh Toussaint-Strauss investigates whether electric vehicles are as green as we’ve been led to believe
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