In this article, we're tackling a topic at the forefront of automotive discussions: Electric Vehicles (EVs). We aim to clarify common misconceptions and address the deliberate misinformation surrounding EVs.
Let's start with full disclosure: I'm a petrol head through and through. My pride and joy is a 20-year-old combustion engine Porsche, a labour of love rebuilt over three years. There's nothing I enjoy more than a drive in an internal combustion engine (ICE) car. So, rest assured, this isn't about pushing an EV agenda.
Our extensive research and data analysis have revealed that EVs aren't the perfect fit for everyone at this point. However, delving into this research has also opened our eyes to the amount of misinformation being spread about EVs – often intentionally.
We’re going to tackle some of the main concerns and myths that frequently come up:
Concern #1: Mining for EV Batteries is Worse for the Environment and Supports Child Labour
The exponential increase in lithium mining for EV batteries has raised concerns, but it’s crucial to view this in the right context. It’s often overlooked that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles also rely on lithium, particularly in the refining of petrol and diesel. In fact, the volume of materials mined just for oil extraction and refining for ICE vehicles far exceeds that used for EV batteries by an order of magnitude.
Moreover, a significant advantage of EV batteries is the potential for recycling and reuse of materials. This circular approach means that the same materials can be used repeatedly, reducing the need for continuous mining. This contrasts starkly with the ongoing resource extraction required for ICE vehicle fuel production and refining.
Regarding child labour, the problem is from cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC produces 50-60% of world cobalt. The child labour has been traced to the artisan mines. These account for around 20% of the cobalt from DRC.
So, that means 10-12% of world cobalt is from mines where child labour exists. A horrific stat.
However, further digging and you find:
-TESLA, BMW etc, demand transparency on their supply chain with source material being traced, and artisan mines therefore won't be allowed.
- Cobalt for use in batteries is being phased out. LFP batteries which use no cobalt are already being used in the Tesla model 3 standard range and Tesla have reduce their cobalt content from 60% to 7% in other batteries.
- BYD, the biggest car brand in China and now bigger than tesla, use LFP batteries only so no cobalt at all.
- All ongoing research in EV battery tech is focused on reducing rare earths. As simply put, there's not enough of them to economically make batteries at the scale they are going to be needed.
Here's a good balanced fact check from Snopes on this
Do I believe that zero child labour is in existing EV batteries. No. But do I think it will be in batteries going forward at any kind of scale 100% No.
And my point is that why hasn't the rest of the industries done the same. And why haven't people raised this with such ferocity before? 58% of all cobalt is used in other processes. So the problem is bigger there. How about we start focusing on these other activities too?
For a further comprehensive view on this issue, check out this insightful article from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/01/do-electric-cars-have-problem-mining-for-minerals
Concern #2: EV Charging and Fossil Fuel Usage
A common critique against electric vehicles (EVs) is that charging them with electricity generated from fossil fuels is just as harmful as running cars on petrol or diesel. However, this argument fails to consider the essential context.
The type of electricity supplied to your grid does indeed vary by location and can include fossil fuels like coal or gas. This fact has spurred the belief that using an EV equates to the environmental impact of a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle. Yet, the broader picture tells a very different story.
National grids, both in Europe and globally, are actively transitioning towards decarbonisation. Currently, the average percentage of electricity generated from fossil fuels in the European grid is about 46%. Significantly, this percentage often decreases at night, when many EV owners typically charge their vehicles and sometimes can drop to 0% use of fossil fuels.
Moreover, the energy consumption involved in extracting and refining petrol and diesel is often overlooked. This process is far more energy-intensive than generating the electricity needed to charge EVs.
For a more comprehensive understanding of this topic, check out this interesting video which offers a detailed analysis of the subject. https://youtu.be/1oVrIHcdxjA?si=qUbuBuVWQXqBPGC-
Concern #3: The National Grid Can’t Handle the Rise of EVs
A common misconception about the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is that the National Grid in the UK can't cope with the increased demand. This is, in fact, untrue. The National Grid has confidently stated that it is well-equipped and on schedule to meet the expected increase in demand that EVs will bring.
It's important to recognise that the way we generate and transmit electricity is undergoing significant changes. The shift towards home energy generation, such as solar panels, and improvements in energy storage technology, are transforming our power infrastructure.
Furthermore, energy-saving measures like the widespread adoption of LED lighting have already created additional capacity within the grid. Not to mention the shear number of renewable generation projects being added to the grid all the time (So much so that there's currently a back log in getting them all connected). This is all additional capacity which is now being utilised to support the growing number of electric vehicles on the road.
Another issue is that renewable energy is not consistent. What about the days when it's not sunny nor windy? But here progress is also being made. Grid level energy storage solutions are fast being implemented: https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-renewable-energy-storage?s=03
Concern #4: Are EVs More Prone to Fires?
One of the prevalent myths about electric vehicles (EVs) is that they are more likely to catch fire compared to petrol or diesel cars. However, a closer look at the data quickly debunks this notion.
Let's consider some statistics:
- In Norway, which boasts the highest proportion of electric car sales globally, there are significantly more fires in petrol and diesel cars than in EVs. According to Norway's Directorate for Social Security and Emergency Preparedness, the incidence of fires is four to five times higher in conventional cars.
- The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency reported that in 2022, there were 3.8 fires per 100,000 electric or hybrid cars, compared with 68 fires per 100,000 cars across all fuel types. However, it's important to note that the latter figure includes incidents of arson, which complicates direct comparisons.
- Research funded by Australia’s Department of Defence, under the EV FireSafe project, discovered that the chance of an electric vehicle battery catching fire was a mere 0.0012%. In contrast, internal combustion engine cars had a 0.1% chance of catching fire.
Furthermore, when examining the engineering behind EV batteries, it's evident that substantial efforts have been made to ensure their safety. The technology and safeguards in EV batteries are advanced and cannot be equated with the cheaper batteries used in gadgets like e-scooters or mobile phone chargers.
Concern #5: Range Anxiety, How Far Can EVs Really Go?
Range anxiety is a genuine concern for many when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), but a closer look at the facts shows that for most journeys, the current range of EVs is more than adequate.
However, it's important to acknowledge that EVs might not be the perfect fit for everyone just yet. A key factor in their practicality is the ability to charge at home. While public charging infrastructure is improving, it's not yet a universally reliable option for those who can't charge at their residence.
Consider these statistics:
- The US Environmental Protection Agency highlights that the average American household travels about 50 miles per day, with only 15% of households exceeding 100 miles in a day. This means that for the vast majority of daily travel, EVs are quite capable.
- In Europe, the average driving distance tends to be even lower. UK government data indicates that 99% of car journeys are less than 100 miles.
- In the UK, the average EV range is around 211 miles, with more expensive models offering 300+ miles on a single charge.
The one elephant in the room is those occasional long journeys. We acknowledge that this aspect of EV ownership isn't yet as straightforward as it is with ICE vehicles. Planning becomes more crucial, and these trips might take longer due to the need for charging stops.
However, this shouldn't be a deal-breaker. The existing charging network makes long trips entirely feasible, though they do require more planning. A quick search on YouTube will reveal numerous accounts of people successfully undertaking long journeys in their EVs. While these trips may not be as simple as hopping into an ICE vehicle and driving off, they are certainly achievable with some forethought.
Balancing these considerations, remember that owning an EV typically results in lower charging costs in the long run. Plus, you're contributing to the net zero initiative. It's about weighing the occasional inconvenience against the broader benefits, both financially and environmentally.
For more insights into this topic, here’s an informative article from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/09/stranded-electric-car-ev-range-anxiety-charging-network
Concern #6 - Battery degradation, they're not going to last
Addressing battery degradation in electric vehicles (EVs) requires a nuanced understanding, which we'll explore in greater depth later in this series. For now, it's important to recognise that EV batteries are proving to be much more durable than initially expected.
Consider, for instance, Tesla's expectation that their car batteries will last for the vehicle's entire lifespan, which averages around 150,000 miles. It's increasingly common to encounter used EVs with high mileage that are still functioning effectively. We recently spotted a Tesla Model S with an astonishing 500,000 miles on the clock, and it was still going strong. Such longevity is largely thanks to the sophisticated battery management systems in EVs, which work to keep the battery within an optimal temperature range, thereby extending its lifespan.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. There are stories of EVs out of warranty needing new battery packs, with costs around £15,000. Yet, the frequency of these cases is not well documented, and a new industry is emerging where third parties can repair a broken battery at a fraction of this cost. To shed more light on this, we're inviting experts to share their insights and real-world experiences later in our series.
Summary
Do not misunderstand us – we're not claiming that EVs are the perfect solution for everyone right now. And believe me, nobody's taking my cherished ICE car away anytime soon, if ever. (Stay tuned for our upcoming discussion on sustainable fuels!)
However, throughout our extensive research at KnowYourCar, one thing has become clear: there's a concerted effort by some to discredit EVs. This approach isn't just unfair; it's counterproductive. EVs are set to play a vital role in the world's transition to net zero. It's time to move past the misleading narratives and embrace an open, honest conversation about their role in our future.
This article was written by Dan Owen, a proud nerd and enthusiastic petrol head, tragically optimistic home mechanic and co-founder of KnowYourCar.
About KnowYourCar
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