Are EVs really Eco Friendly?

Are Electric Vehicles really Eco Friendly?

Every year temperatures are soaring all around the world. We talk about global warming, pollution and sustainability. But what can be our individual contributions? How can every individual lower their carbon footprint? Some ways captured in below slide:

While we speak about this, driving hybrids or Electric vehicles surely comes up as an important point of discussion. In India, Tamil Nadu is the hub of car manufacturing, and this has been extended to EVs during the conclave in November 2021, where about 59 MoUs were signed by the TN government with companies specializing in EV manufacturing and technologies, which is expected to bring in revenue around 52k crores and over 92k job opportunities.

While EVs certainly lead to reduced emissions, there are several factors that need to be understood in terms of

• making of the batteries, sustainability of mining for ores, 
• if renewable energy sources are being used to recharge the batteries
• recycling or reusing batteries

Making of the batteries and sustainability of mining for ores:

These car batteries for electric vehicles require rare earth elements including lithium and cobalt. These have a lot of environmental impacts like leaching into surroundings and health impacts for the miners including children who might work in such mines around the world. The purification process of the ores to obtain cobalt is called 'smelting' which in turn causes increased levels of Sulphur oxide in the environment.

Recharging the batteries:

While the logistics of having enough recharge stations at every point is a concern, a bigger concern is using what power are we recharging the batteries? Is renewable energy like wind, solar and water only being used? If we are still using fossil fuels to supply power to the grid and recharging EVs with power from same grid, the whole point of making EVs are completely lost.

Recycling/reusing batteries:

These heavy-duty batteries cannot just be thrown away after use but need to be recycled responsibly. Many manufacturers are forced to plan recycling plants right from the start of setting up manufacturing units. There is also research underway on how batteries with some life left can be repurposed and used for storage in grids.

So, end of the day it is not just about manufacturing or buying EVs, but a whole ecosystem to support this mindset change. Unless governments make public transport more accessible and readily usable by people from all walks of life, unless international policies come together to protect environmental issues, unless every individual make a lifestyle change and decides to do his/her bit for the environment, EVs are not going to be the magic pill!

Please watch my YouTube video in Tamil on this topic. Like, subscribe and share if the contents interest you!

#pollution #ev #sustainability #ecofriendly #power #electricity #renewableenergy

Doha driving

Note to Doha drivers:
1) No, I do not think it is ok for you to climb the pavement and try to get ahead of me on the freeway
2) No, I do no like you tailing me when I am already going at 100 km, the highest speed limit by law here. If you insist on tailing I will not give you way; if you don't tail me I will move and give way for you to speed by
3) No, I do not get intimidated by your huge monsterous vehicles
4) No, I do not get intimidated by your super luxury cars and trucks either
5) No, I do not think you will be caught speeding on camera if you are doing 80 km/hr on a 100km/hr speed limit road; please do not slow down even further at the sight of a speed camera, but use your common sense
6) No, I do not find you attractive even if you show off your super cool shades, cigarettes, car accessories, personal accessories etc., I am very happily married
7) No, I do not find it heart warming to see that you have a child in the car, especially when the child is almost falling out of the window or sun-roof. I wish you would tie them down to the seat as they are supposed to be
8) No, I do not think it makes you very smart if you decide to stop a mile before another stopped car and cruise the rest of the distance. I think it is idiotic and I don't want to cruise behind you
9) No, I do not get upset because you reprimanded me by show of your hand for honking at you. I usually have a very good reason for honking and it means YOU did something wrong
10) No, I do not think you have the right of way just because you are wearing a traditional Qatari/Arab robe. Traffic rules are the same for all to follow.

Feels good! :)