Are Electric Vehicles the Solution or Just a Shift in Waste?

Mic van Zyl of “Go! Drive & Camp” on August-September 2021 raised several concerns regarding the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) that are often overlooked in discussions about their benefits.

So, are EVs a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles?

As per Mic van Zyl, many major automotive manufacturers, such as Volkswagen Group, have announced plans to phase out internal combustion engines by 2026 and cease production of these vehicles by 2033.

However, this shift raises questions about the long-term effects of mass EV production on the environment and society. A crucial point of concern is the disposal of EV batteries once they reach the end of their service life. The environmental implications of battery waste management are significant, given the complexities involved in recycling and potential pollution.

Electric vehicles require charging from electricity generated at power stations, which can come from both non-renewable and renewable sources. The increased demand for electricity due to a greater number of EVs will necessitate more energy production, which raises concerns about mining for non-renewable resources.

The intermittent nature of solar and wind energy necessitates the storage of electricity, which in turn requires additional battery production. For instance, Tesla’s largest battery factory would take 500 years to produce enough batteries to power the United States for just one day.

Moreover, the materials needed to construct solar and wind energy systems are also derived from significant amounts of non-renewable resources. A 100 MW wind farm, for example, requires 55,000 tons of concrete and 31,000 tons of iron ore. Wind turbines generate waste, particularly in the form of fiberglass blades that have a limited lifespan of around 20 years. Solar farms may produce even greater material waste. In contrast, gas turbine generators can last for over 50 years, presenting a longer-term energy solution.

The financial aspects of energy production reveal additional concerns. The cost of storing energy from a wind turbine is significantly higher compared to oil.

Although Mic van Zyl wrote this article in 2021, the issues he touches on, to my mind, still demand that we ask whether EVs truly represent a "transformative" automotive solution for reducing carbon dioxide emissions or if we are merely redistributing environmental challenges?

Should the focus not rather be to shift toward developing cleaner fuels and enhancing the efficiency of internal combustion engines, possibly integrating hybrid technologies that do not require external charging?

I have no firm view on the matter, but current common sense seems to align with the view put forward by Mic van Zyl, or am I incorrect?

What do you think?

Dr. Rodrick (Ronnie) van Rooyen

(PD International Business and Trade and PhD Maritime and Customs Management)