Ah the big green machine that’s not exactly green at all. The further impact on mining of rare earth materials (that aren’t actually rare) Neodymium and praseodymium to produce the strong magnets used in electric motors, the human rights issues of mining for minerals and rare earth cobalt, lithium ion etc. The heavy machinery used to extract these materials. The massive pollution issue in China seen on the news recently. Even the next generation frugal batter will require a huge amount of raw material which will only add to what we already use in every day items globally.
About half the lifetime of carbon dioxide come from energy used to produce an EV. The EV in the showroom has already produced around 13500 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This compares unfavourable to the 6.25 tonnes of an equivalent ICE car.
Carbon dioxide produced when charging an EV depends depends on power generation of fuel used. If from coal fired power stations it will amount to around 15oz’s carbon dioxide emitted per mile driven, 3oz’s more than a similar sized ICE. Even if an EV is charged by cleaner gas fueled power station, it will cause only 24% less carbon dioxide emissions than a similar sized ICE car. Which is a far cry from zero emissions they are claimed to be.
Then there is the resale value of the 2nd/3rd hand which is not fully known. How dubious are these buyers going to be knowing the extortionate cost of replacement batteries. Will how the previous owner has charged/discharged the vehicle, have they continually used rapid charging have an effect on used values. @Brydo pointed out Kia will only repair a battery within its warranty period after 3yrs to only 70% capacity which will continue to degrade there after. Will we see 15-20 year old EV’s on the road as we do ICE vehicles or will they be demoted to the scrap heap. All unknowns we are fully yet to see.
Ive also heard of EV’s being in for repair for 3 months or more not only on here but on another forum i’m on, which cannot be classed as general maintenance.
I’m not against EV’s at all after all they are cheaper to run day after day after initial purpose which is what the consumer will prioritise over everything else and the majority won’t give two hoots about their dirt background or lies from green forward governments. At the moment there aren’t many large or medium large SUV’s in mass production at an every day man’s price point and will do 400miles plus between charges. Obviously technology will move on and I may then consider one.
Sweden are trialing an electrified road that you are able to charge your vehicle on the move which ultimately is the way to go. Whether or not the UK goes that way given the state of our roads is yet to be seen, though i’m doubtful. Untill then we need to considerable improve our charging structure and its reliability.
Rant over 🙂