Electric vehicles are the way of the future, but they have some notable drawbacks that consumers are not ready to overlook

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Uber, Piaggio Fast Forward, Hyliion, Lucid Motors, Revel, Volta Charging, Arrival and of course Tesla; the electric car has entered public imagination, and has begun to be a consideration for new, and old car owners alike. To some, electric cars are the future of transportation. Concern about the environmental impact of gas and diesel powered engines have made people think more seriously about owning an electric vehicle, and as a result the industry has exploded.

Two English inventors are responsible for this new craze; the electric car was invented in the 19^th century but did not become popular until the late 20^th century. It was not until the 21^st century that they became very popular in the United States, China, and other countries.

From 2010 to 2019, the number of electric vehicles on the road grew from 17,000 to 7.2 million. They are a lot less expensive to own and maintain than conventional cars, and if you are thinking about switching to an electric car, now would be the best time to do so, as the technology has improved in recent years.

One of the first things that an electric car owner will tell you is that gas is a thing of the past. With gas prices fluctuating on the higher side of expenses, that feature alone is a pull for car enthusiasts. Another great feature is the fact that they do not need oil changes or new clutches: they do not need regular inspection, and replacing of brakes and tire wear are headaches that you would not have to deal with anymore.

Yes, the electric car is the way of the future, and as you drive around you will begin to see more and more of them popping up on the road, but the fact of the matter is that electric cars have some notable drawbacks that many consumers are not ready to overlook.

First, from a national security standpoint, China made a conscious decision years ago to dominate the market in E.V. battery production and technology. This is the same country that speaks haughty about surpassing the United States as the world superpower. Why would we as a nation want to put our own national security at risk in the hands of a nation determined to impose communism around the globe?

Second, currently, the materials used to manufacture E.V. batteries are typically mined in Africa by child labour under the harshest conditions imaginable. Cobalt is an expensive metal used in electric car batteries, and can cost up to $35,000 per ton. 59% of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and children often do the mining (as many as 40,000) working in brutal and unsafe conditions. These children are referred to as ‘informal’ workers. Hmmm! That is an interesting way of putting it.

Children are typically forced to sift through piles of material in an effort to secure the scarce materials (cobalt, lithium, and nickel) required for battery production. Children as young as two years old transport, wash, and crush minerals to earn half a dollar a day. The use of child labour to source electric vehicle battery materials has been known for several years, yet global governments, politicians and consumers look the other way. Another point that I should mention here is that the mining process is not environmentally friendly and in itself contributes to global warming.

Third, all electric vehicles batteries have a limited service life, at the end of which they must be disposed of in our landfills, as the recycling options.  Millions of electric car batteries will retire in the next decade.  What happens to them? Will these batteries end up in a mountain of waste and further contaminate the environment?

Finally, even with government subsidies, electric vehicles are expensive. The 2022 Nissan starts under $28,000, but prices soar to well over $100,000 for an electric SUV, pickup or high-performance luxury car. Purchasing an E.V. or, for that matter, a newer gasoline vehicle is beyond the reach of most who live in Canada, but some might say that even though most electric vehicles (EVs) are still more expensive than comparable gasoline-powered models, the difference is getting smaller, year by year. When you consider the cost of fuel, maintenance and purchase incentives, the price differences are eliminated.

Really, it is a personal decision whether you invest in an electric vehicle; do your research, think about how you feel about child labour, do not use saving the environment as a reason to purchase one, and if you can afford it, go ahead. Live your electric life!