12 Reasons Electric Cars Might Not Be as Green as They Seem

The world is in the middle of an electric revolution, and more and more manufacturers are jumping aboard the EV train. Yet, while EVs look like the future, there are plenty of reasons they might not be as good for the environment as we think.

Producing the batteries and the cars themselves uses up valuable resources, as does shipping batteries across the globe. Plus, it takes some time before an EV actually becomes better for the environment than a gasoline-powered car.

This list contains reasons why EVs are more damaging to the environment than you might think. However, we should also highlight that while there is some way to go until they're more sustainable, EVs are still beneficial for the future of the automotive industry.

Electric Vehicles Are Not Emissions Free

While the main headline is that EVs are emissions-free, the reality is that they are not quite 100% emissions-free. One of the biggest problems is that they emit particulates from road, tires, and brake wear and tear, just like a regular gasoline car.

Then, there is the issue of creating the batteries themselves. Lithium-ion batteries require a lot of resources. The flipside to both of these arguments is that EVs do, on the whole, produce far less emissions on the road than a regular gasoline-powered car does.

Transporting EV Components Is Not Emissions Free

One of the more significant issues with EVs is not the emissions that the cars themselves produce but what's emitted when they are in production. Batteries are the main concern, with many manufactured worldwide in China, South Korea, and Japan.

Transporting them requires either aircraft or cargo ships. Both of which emit an abundance of pollutants. Bringing all the required EV components together is an enormous undertaking that can damage the environment overall.

Producing EV Batteries Requires Lots Of Resources

Battery production is one reason EVs are not as clean for the environment as we think. The use of carbon in electricity production is relatively high in locations where EV batteries are made, which needs to be more in keeping with the green image electric cars are trying to create.

In fact, studies show that EVs can create up to 60 percent more emissions during production than a regular internal combustion car, purely due to the work required to make the batteries. This will hopefully become less of an issue as time passes.

Recycling/Removing Old Car Batteries

Another major problem with EVs is what happens to old batteries when they reach the end of their life. Many manufacturers are looking to solve this issue, with Tesla and Volkswagen being two brands that have announced plans to recycle batteries.

However, there are fears that some old or failed batteries might end up in landfills. Manufacturers will continually have to wrestle with this, but recycling and repurposing some batteries is the best option for the future.

High Costs Turning Buyers Away

While not directly impacting the environment, there is no escaping that some EVs are a little too expensive for consumers. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 cost around $40,000 when a 2025 Toyota Camry hybrid currently costs much less at $28,400.

That price gap could keep pushing people towards gasoline-powered cars, which are more damaging to the environment. While prices are slowly decreasing, such as with the new Tesla Model 3, they remain too high for the average American to buy an electric car.

Rare Materials Needed For Battery Production

A significant problem facing EV production is the global supply of lithium and rare materials required during production. Along with lithium, electric car battery production requires cobalt, graphite, and nickel, all of which take considerable resources to extract from the ground.

Then, there is the problem of ensuring we have enough materials. The answer is “Yes” for now, but it could get tricky. Thankfully, other battery technologies that use little or even no rare earth materials are being considered, which will reduce the need for all these rare materials.

Electric Cars Might Not Be The Future

Of course, there is the question of whether electric cars are actually the appropriate answer to our climate change problems. While most major manufacturers now produce electric cars, hydrogen remains a credible alternative to EVs.

Toyota's Mirai perfectly showcases how good a hydrogen car can be. It is stylish, comfortable, and economical, and refueling takes much less time than charging an electric vehicle. There are issues with hydrogen cars, but you have to wonder if we are using all these resources to create a segment of cars that isn't as good as we first thought.

Charging EVs Has An Environmental Impact

One of the main issues with electric cars is charging. Firstly, it can take at least 20 minutes to charge an EV versus five minutes to refill a gasoline car. However, using electric car chargers has a broader environmental impact.

EV chargers use a lot of resources to recharge your car. Alternatively, in the long run, EVs produce far fewer emissions than a gasoline car running on one full tank of fuel. In many cases, there are two sides to the argument.

America's Transition To EVs

In January 2023, an article by British Newspaper The Guardian outlined the challenges facing the United States and its transition to EVs. The U.S. plans to transition to EVs by 2050. However, research has found that the move could cause environmental havoc.

Large amounts of lithium are required to produce vehicle batteries in such a large nation. The research showed that the U.Ss's transition could need three times as much lithium as is currently made for the global market. Hopefully, alternatives to lithium batteries will be found soon.

Electric Cars Still Have A Wider Image Problem

One of the most significant issues facing EVs is their image problem. British actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson's article for The Guardian in 2023 highlighted the problem that EVs face in some quarters.

The current kickback against EVs, particularly from celebrities and influential people, could force buyers to stick with combustion power for their new car. More combustion-powered vehicles on the road equals more damage to the environment. It is an issue that, for now, electric cars simply can't seem to escape.

EVs Are Bigger And Heavier Than ICE Counterparts

The resources required to build such massive cars will need to be improved. In many cases, EVs are heavier than their internal combustion engine (ICE) rivals, thanks to many manufacturers opting to create electric SUVs rather than coupes or smaller cars.

The large battery packs that require so many resources to produce also mean EVs are heavier than any regular production car on the planet. Many EVs are incredibly efficient, but their overall weight is surely sacrificing a lot of their efficiency due to that extra weight.

Not Enough Electric Cars On The Market

While not directly impacting the environment, the lack of an extensive choice of EVs will affect it to some degree. Few significant options and the cost of EVs, too, mean that consumers aren't spoiled for choice like they are with ICE cars.

Sure, more EVs are on the way. The new Renault 5 EV will add another supermini, and we are getting more electric sports cars, sedans, and SUVs. For now, though, options are limited. So it's no surprise people keep looking at ICE cars as their preferred choice when buying a new one.