Question: the electricity to power EV’s still comes from fossil fuels for the most part. At least in the US. Is the net effect of getting rid of internal combustion engines significantly better for the environment, considering also the procuring of materials to make batteries and the waste batteries produce at the end of their life cycle?
Yes, because the grid is rapidly decarbonizing, while old cars literally can’t. Remember that solar is currently the cheapest energy production infrastructure to build now, which means there’s a huge economic incentive to change to a more renewable energy grid.
Also I hate the “batteries cause waste” argument because it always conveniently ignores the fact that fossil fuel-based systems already cause similar, massive environmental destruction during mining and disposal.
I wasn’t arguing. I’m all for doing everything we can to minimize the damage we have done and continue to do. But they do cause waste. And as I’m no chemical engineer, and the technology has not been around long enough on a big enough scale that I’ve come across much about the issue, I just don’t know how bad that waste is, especially in comparison to waste produced by what we’re doing now. Hence why I asked the question. Otherwise, your explanation is helpful and I thank you.
After batteries are used up in EV’s they still have a usable lifespan in grid energy storage systems. Then after their useful life there, they can still be recycled.
The grid “not being able to handle EVs” is a farce.
Its actually more environmental friendly to use a diesel generator to load an EV, than using internal combustion engines. Their are just really inefficient.
Question: the electricity to power EV’s still comes from fossil fuels for the most part. At least in the US. Is the net effect of getting rid of internal combustion engines significantly better for the environment, considering also the procuring of materials to make batteries and the waste batteries produce at the end of their life cycle?
Yes, because the grid is rapidly decarbonizing, while old cars literally can’t. Remember that solar is currently the cheapest energy production infrastructure to build now, which means there’s a huge economic incentive to change to a more renewable energy grid.
Also I hate the “batteries cause waste” argument because it always conveniently ignores the fact that fossil fuel-based systems already cause similar, massive environmental destruction during mining and disposal.
I wasn’t arguing. I’m all for doing everything we can to minimize the damage we have done and continue to do. But they do cause waste. And as I’m no chemical engineer, and the technology has not been around long enough on a big enough scale that I’ve come across much about the issue, I just don’t know how bad that waste is, especially in comparison to waste produced by what we’re doing now. Hence why I asked the question. Otherwise, your explanation is helpful and I thank you.
After batteries are used up in EV’s they still have a usable lifespan in grid energy storage systems. Then after their useful life there, they can still be recycled.
The grid “not being able to handle EVs” is a farce.
A power plant has a much higher potential for better filtration systems for pollutants than an ICE automobile.
EV’s aren’t going to save the planet. They’re a step in the right direction but it’s a long walk to sustainability.
Its actually more environmental friendly to use a diesel generator to load an EV, than using internal combustion engines. Their are just really inefficient.