PhD student affirms electric cars are more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engine cars.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, electric vehicles produce lower lifetime emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles, even with the energy required to make lithium batteries.
TikToker Rosh (@all_about_climate), a student with a degree in earth and climate science, posted a response to common misconceptions about electric vehicles. In the video, Roche showed a video of someone saying that lithium mining for energy used in electric vehicle batteries has a greater environmental impact than gasoline-powered cars.
While Roche said electric vehicle battery production has some environmental impact, the TikToker dismissed the idea that internal combustion engines are better for the planet.
In the video, Rosh showed a chart from Generation Investment Management showing that significantly more other metals will be mined than lithium in 2022. For example, approximately 1.3 million tons of iron are mined, while 1.3 million tons of lithium are mined.
“The idea that this is worse or even comparable to what we are currently doing to maintain the fossil fuel status quo is simply wrong,” Roche said.
The EPA says eco-friendly vehicles have a smaller carbon footprint than natural gas vehicles because they emit zero tailpipe emissions. In fact, a new study finds that electric cars reduce their carbon footprint to zero in just two years of driving.
The transportation industry is the largest source of air pollution in the country. Switching to an electric vehicle prevents atmospheric pollution and helps you avoid paying maintenance bills and high gas prices.
Hundreds of TikTok users reacted to Rosh’s video. Many commenters agreed with Roche’s defense of electric vehicles and lithium battery manufacturing.
“The oil man in the video reminds me of a tobacco company boss saying there are benefits to smoking,” one commenter quipped.
“[You] Heard this statement all the time and it’s 100% false,” another commenter said. “Basically oil industry propaganda. Lithium batteries are fully recyclable. “
Researchers are also continually working to improve battery recycling efficiency to create a circular economy using these batteries.
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