Things are only heating up in the political arena as we approach election day. Despite former President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump offering concessions to Elon Musk in exchange for his endorsement, EVs remain a hot-button issue like never before.
If anything, misinformation campaigns are accelerating, so we’ll continue doing our part by digging into what’s real and what’s not.
Last month, we delved deep into the carbon dioxide impact of driving EVs versus cars with traditional internal combustion engines. We demonstrated quite thoroughly that even when factoring in the CO2 emissions from battery manufacturing, driving EVs more than makes up the difference. Even if you live in a region reliant on coal for electricity, EVs emit less CO2 than vehicles burning gasoline or diesel. They are already a better, cleaner choice compared to producing tailpipe emissions—a fact that’s beyond dispute.
InsideEVs: Hyundai Kona L2 Charging
This month, we’re picking up that thread and examining the other environmental implications of EVs (and hybrids by extension). Specifically, we’ll explore the sourcing of some of the more problematic materials used in battery and electric motor manufacturing.
Fair warning: The findings here won’t be quite as rosy, but our goal isn’t to sugarcoat the truth. It’s to uncover it—along with the reasons to remain optimistic about how the future can be better than the fossil-fuel economy, which has created its own share of devastation.
Battery Materials
Most batteries in modern EVs use a lithium-ion construction, leading to the impression that they are all the same in terms of composition. However, the material makeup of cells within battery modules varies widely.
Here are some of the common materials used in contemporary batteries:
- Lithium: This element gives lithium-ion batteries their name. Australia is the world’s leading producer, but Chile ranks second, where lithium mining has caused what the Natural Resources Defense Council describes as a “water crisis.”
- Cobalt: Enhances a battery’s energy density and stability. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the top producer globally, where mining has led to “egregious human rights abuses,” according to Amnesty International.
- Nickel: Boosts a battery’s energy density. Indonesia, the world’s largest exporter, has been accused of mass deforestation, increased soil erosion, and water pollution.
Sourcing these materials is a messy business. Extracting resources has always been fraught with environmental and ethical concerns, whether from underwater drilling, fracking, or politically unstable regions.
The path to true sustainability with EVs is just beginning to take shape, offering more promise than the entrenched fossil-fuel industry.
Rare Earth Materials
If sourcing batteries raises concerns, the story around rare earth materials is even more alarming.
The electric motors used in EVs and hybrids vary in construction and technology, but permanent-magnet synchronous motors are generally considered the most advanced. They deliver superior efficiency and performance compared to induction motors.
These magnets rely on critical elements like neodymium and dysprosium, part of the rare earth family, which includes troubling byproducts like uranium.
For example:
- Myanmar, one of the world’s leading sources of rare earths, has seen entire villages devastated by mining operations, with locals coerced into submission.
Organizations like Global Witness document the dark realities of this industry.
Signs of Hope
The sobering facts above highlight the harshest aspects of EV and hybrid production—topics manufacturers are understandably hesitant to address.
Still, there are reasons for hope:
- New Sources: Emerging safer sources of rare earths in the U.S. and Australia offer a more environmentally and socially responsible supply chain. For instance, projects in Elk Creek (Nebraska) and Bear Lodge (Wyoming) show promise for ethical and sustainable rare earth production.
- Alternative Motor Designs: Some manufacturers are working on motors that do not require rare earth materials. Tesla, for instance, is developing high-efficiency motors that avoid rare earths entirely, though they remain in development.
Additionally, transparency is improving with battery passports, pioneered by Volvo and Tesla. These provide detailed information about battery materials, their sourcing, and construction, aiding in future recycling efforts.
The Circular Economy
Recycling is key to creating a sustainable EV ecosystem. Companies like Redwood Materials are leading efforts to establish a circular economy where retired batteries and motors are reused instead of raw materials being continuously extracted.
For example, Redwood recently began building facilities to produce recycled cathode materials, which will soon supply American battery manufacturers like Panasonic and Toyota.
While it may take years to achieve a fully circular system, the long-term goal is clear: reduce dependence on raw material extraction and minimize environmental and social harm.
Unlike gasoline-powered cars, which don’t offer such sustainable end-of-life solutions, EV batteries can also be repurposed for energy storage applications.
Context Matters
The challenges of EV material sourcing should not excuse current shortcomings. However, it’s worth noting that the EV industry is still in its infancy compared to the century-old petrochemical economy.
Consider the global oil industry, which despite extensive regulation, continues to wreak environmental havoc and provoke geopolitical strife. In contrast, the EV sector is actively exploring sustainable and ethical alternatives, with promising developments just a few years away.
While tragedies like those in Myanmar highlight the urgent need for reform, the momentum toward cleaner, more responsible practices is undeniable.
By committing to a cleaner, circular battery economy, we can move away from the devastating tradeoffs of fossil fuels and create a more sustainable future.