Fossil fuel has shaped the lifestyle, the economy, and the car-manufacturing industry for long decades. Yet, innovators have been working around the clock to find environmentally-friendly solutions and the world is now standing at a crossroads of change. Recently, the automotive world has been undergoing a radical transformation; shifting from petroleum-powered cars that depend on internal combustion motors to Electric Vehicles (EV), aka batteries-powered cars. However, the question is whether this change is a sustainable smart tech or a hazard to humanity?
The EV automotive industry has boomed where governments are at the forefront of the change, as many have aimed to regulate the emission of gases by 2024. Electric vehicles are being promoted and hailed as the ultimate solution to all environmental crises as they promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; thus, making cities cleaner and healthier.
However, we need to begin with understanding the components of EV batteries. They are Lithium-ion batteries, an efficient source of energy that lasts longer than any other charging options, and they are relatively lighter in weight. Yet, at the heart of EV batteries are cobalt and nickel; extracting these minerals comes at a much higher cost. Mining operations can disrupt the ecosystem, pollute water, land, and soil. In addition to exploiting the natural resources of some underdeveloped countries, cobalt mining has been linked to child labor and unsafe working environment in some areas.
EV batteries—like all human-made technologies—has a life span; without proper recycling procedures, they can cause a wave of toxic waste. What is also alarming is that many users have reported nausea, fatigue, dizziness, fertility issues, cancer, and neurological effects. These have been linked to exposure to high generated electromagnetic fields of the high voltage batteries.
At the end, the future of vehicles is not simply an easy journey from fuel to electricity; it is a complex crossroad where innovation and sustainability intersect while putting human responsibility at the forefront. The future holds many untold stories about their future and whether EVs will become a symbol of sustainability or a hidden source of hazard to humanity and the environment.
References
carsradiation.org
humanrightsresearch.org
teslareporter.com
Cover image by magnific.com