Are EVs Clean?

Let's talk about an interesting topic today. A lot of you guys might be having your own opinion about this. But, In this blog, i will be talking about mine. And yes, it might be biased. So, let's get into it.

DISCLAIMER: I claim no expertise in this subject. The views expressed are personal and the information's are sourced from research articles.

I am not completely against this wonderful technology. In fact, batteries are an incredible energy storing devices. These batteries are a great tool in the energy industry. Used widely in Solar, Wind, Tidal, Wave.... You get the gist.

But, when it comes to the automobiles, i am not such a big fan.

Yes. It is more efficient than the Internal Combustion Engine. 80% of the energy is used in an EV, whereas in an IC, only about 30%.

But why don't i like it? Well, you see, it is marketed as a greener alternative. I don't think so. Let's break this down. The raw material to manufacture a lithium-ion battery, is of course, Lithium. Now, how is lithium extracted?

It is extracted by a process called hard rock mining, using traditional methods to extract lithium bearing minerals, such as spodumene from the open pits. One of the newer ways, is this process know as DLE, Direct Lithium Extraction. The DLE is an alternative method during wet climates or wet conditions.

But, what does that have to do with our conversation? 

By using traditional methods, lithium extraction and processing, require significant energy. The machineries operated to extract are powered by fossil fuels leading to CO2 emissions.

Now, remember the Hard rock mining method. In order to extract lithium, the brine is first pumped out from underneath the salt flat. Left to evaporate for about 12 to 18months to form a mixture of Potassium, Magnesium, Borax and lithium salts. To produce a ton of lithium, requires a quantity of 2 million liters.

That is enough with the technical aspects. 

There is still one another point to discuss. Charging. 

The charging infrastructure is developing, making it easier to charge your EV and eliminating, "Range Anxiety". Fear of running out of power. The batteries are being researched and developed to eliminate the degradation of the battery, so, the need of recharging is not too often.

There are even Scotty's which are charged at the comfort of the house. Houses are supplied with energy from the Electricity Board, which, in turn, receive electricity from power plants using coal as their fuel to produce electricity.

Companies are offering charging free of charge, and, exchange the old battery for a new one at a very low cost. As the charging takes quite some time. A 90 KWh battery takes about 16 hours to charge with a standard home charge, while, a 30 KWh takes about 6 hours. 

I am not saying that i am totally against it. EVs are actually a good mode of transportation. In this blog, i have only focused on the cons. In addition, they do have a lot of pros. We will talk about that in another blog later.

Do you like EVs? 

Feel free to comment, and express your views openly as i am eager to hear what you have to say.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read!! I will see you in another blog.