Are Electric Cars REALLY Better for the Environment?

Summary

In this video, Nolan investigates the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Despite EVs having a higher initial carbon footprint due to battery production, they emit less CO2 over their lifespan, especially with cleaner energy sources. Nolan debunks myths about EVs, emphasizing their long-term efficiency and lower environmental impact, concluding that EVs are indeed better for the environment.

Takeaways

• 🔋 The production of electric vehicles (EVs) has a higher initial environmental impact due to the large batteries they require, which are made with lithium and other materials that need to be mined.
• 🌱 The mining of lithium for EV batteries can lead to water scarcity and environmental degradation, as seen in the lithium triangle between Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.
• 🔄 The recycling process for lithium-ion batteries is currently not efficient enough to handle the growing number of spent batteries from EVs.
• ⚙️ Manufacturing an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle produces around seven metric tons of CO2, less than the average EV which produces 8 to 10 metric tons due to battery production.
• 🚗 Over their lifetime, EVs are more efficient than ICE vehicles. The average EV is responsible for 28 metric tons of CO2 emissions, compared to 57 metric tons for ICE vehicles.
• 🌐 The environmental impact of EVs can vary greatly depending on the source of electricity used to charge them, with cleaner energy sources leading to lower emissions.
• 💨 Despite higher CO2 emissions during production, EVs make up for this by having zero tailpipe emissions, unlike ICE vehicles which emit an average of 5.2 metric tons of CO2 per year.
• 🔧 The electric grid is capable of handling a significant increase in EVs without major disruptions, debunking the myth that it cannot cope with the demand.
• 💸 Government subsidies for EVs are not solely beneficial to the wealthy, as the tax rebates are structured to benefit all buyers, though the amount may vary.
• 🌿 The long-term environmental impact of EVs is less than that of gas-powered cars, making them a more sustainable choice despite the challenges in production and recycling.

Q & A

What is the main debate surrounding electric vehicles mentioned in the script?

The main debate is whether electric vehicles (EVs) are worse for the environment than internal combustion engine vehicles.

What does the script reveal about the initial environmental impact of electric vehicle production?

The script reveals that the initial environmental footprint of electric vehicle production is greater than that of internal combustion engines due to the large batteries EVs use, which are made with lithium and require mining that produces greenhouse gases.

How much CO2 is produced on average to produce an electric vehicle?

On average, it takes about eight to 10 metric tons of CO2 to produce an electric vehicle, with larger batteries responsible for up to 17 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

What is the 'lithium triangle' referred to in the script?

The 'lithium triangle' refers to an area between Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, which supplies more than half of the world's lithium.

What ethical dilemma is associated with cobalt mining mentioned in the script?

The ethical dilemma associated with cobalt mining is the use of child labor in some cobalt mines, which is considered reprehensible.

How does the script address the issue of recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles?

The script points out that the recycling process for lithium-ion batteries is not yet efficient enough to handle the growing number of spent batteries from electric vehicles, and it raises concerns about storage and safety due to the volatility of the elements in lithium batteries.

What is the average CO2 production for an internal combustion engine vehicle during its production?

The average production for an internal combustion engine vehicle produces around seven metric tons of CO2.

How does the script compare the total CO2 emissions over the lifespan of a gas-powered car versus an electric vehicle?

The script states that over the average lifespan of a car, an internal combustion engine vehicle is responsible for 57 metric tons of CO2, while the average EV is responsible for 28 metric tons of emissions, which is less than half.

What is the script's stance on the myth that electric vehicle production and charging from coal-powered plants produce more emissions than gas car production and operation?

The script refutes this myth as false, stating that any EV, even with the least efficient power source, will be better for the environment than the most efficient gas engine after a certain period of time.

What does the script say about the ability of the electric grid to handle an increase in electric vehicles?

The script debunks the myth that the electric grid cannot handle the increase in EVs, stating that even if a quarter of the cars on the road were electric, the U.S. electric grids could handle them without disruption.

How does the script address the claim that government subsidies for electric cars are unfair to poor people?

The script acknowledges that while there are federal rebates for electric car purchases, these subsidies benefit everyone, and for expensive luxury EVs like a Tesla Model X, the rebate is less than the maximum amount, suggesting that the subsidies are not solely benefiting the rich.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Debunking Environmental Impact of Electric Cars

The paragraph introduces the debate on the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs) versus internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It acknowledges the differing opinions and sets the stage for an impartial investigation into the truth behind these claims. The narrator expresses personal love for both types of vehicles and a desire to uncover the facts. The complexity of the issue is hinted at, and the intention to present a concise yet comprehensive comparison is made clear.

05:02

🔋 The Environmental Cost of Electric Vehicle Production

This paragraph delves into the environmental concerns associated with electric vehicle production, particularly the mining and processing of lithium for batteries. It highlights the significant carbon footprint of EV production, which can be up to 17 metric tons of CO2 for larger batteries, compared to the average of seven metric tons for ICE vehicles. The paragraph also addresses the ethical issues surrounding cobalt mining and the challenges of battery recycling, including the risk of fires and explosions in recycling facilities. It concludes with a hopeful note on the potential for improvement in EV manufacturing processes over time.

10:02

🌿 Comparing Life Cycle Emissions of EVs and ICE Vehicles

The paragraph compares the life cycle emissions of electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles. It points out that while EVs have a higher production carbon footprint, they make up for it by having zero tailpipe emissions. The average EV is responsible for 28 metric tons of CO2 over its lifetime, less than half of the 57 metric tons emitted by an ICE vehicle. The paragraph also discusses the impact of electricity sources on EV efficiency, noting that even in regions with coal-powered plants, EVs eventually become more environmentally friendly than ICE vehicles. It refutes common myths about EVs, including their impact on the electric grid and the fairness of government subsidies, and concludes with a personal endorsement of EVs based on their lower environmental impact.

🚧 Addressing Misconceptions and Future Outlook

The final paragraph addresses common misconceptions about electric vehicles, such as the belief that they produce more emissions when charged from coal-powered plants and that the electric grid cannot handle a surge in EV usage. It clarifies that these myths are false, with the U.S. electric grid capable of handling a significant increase in EVs without disruption. The paragraph also touches on the topic of government subsidies, explaining that they benefit all buyers, not just the wealthy. The narrator reaffirms a personal preference for gas-powered cars but acknowledges the environmental advantages of EVs. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe and follow the channel for more content, and a humorous note on the narrator's commitment to his gas-powered car.

Keywords

💡Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are vehicles powered by electricity rather than traditional gasoline or diesel engines. In the video, they are discussed as a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engines in terms of emissions during usage, though their environmental impact is debated due to the high CO2 footprint during battery production. EVs are presented as having potential environmental benefits over time, particularly when charged using renewable energy sources.

💡Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)

Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) are traditional gasoline or diesel-powered engines that burn fuel to generate motion. The video compares ICE vehicles with electric vehicles, noting that ICE cars produce fewer emissions during manufacturing but significantly higher emissions during their operational lifetime. Over a car's lifespan, an ICE vehicle is responsible for 57 metric tons of CO2 emissions, primarily from burning fuel.

💡CO2 Emissions

CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. The video highlights CO2 emissions both during the production of electric vehicle batteries and during the use of internal combustion engine cars. While EV production generates more CO2 initially, they are still considered better for the environment in the long term due to their lack of direct emissions during operation.

💡Lithium

Lithium is a key component in electric vehicle batteries and is primarily sourced from areas like the Atacama Desert in South America. The mining of lithium is environmentally problematic due to water depletion and greenhouse gas emissions during extraction. The video discusses how lithium mining contributes significantly to the CO2 footprint of electric vehicle production, and as demand for EVs grows, so does the demand for lithium.

💡Battery Recycling

Battery recycling refers to the process of reclaiming materials from used batteries. The video points out that the recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries are not yet fully developed to handle the growing number of electric vehicle batteries that will need to be recycled in the future. The challenges in storing and processing these batteries include risks of fires and explosions.

💡Cobalt

Cobalt is another crucial material used in EV batteries. The video touches on the ethical concerns around cobalt mining, particularly the use of child labor in some regions where cobalt is sourced. This raises questions about the environmental and social costs of electric vehicles, beyond their apparent emissions benefits.

💡Renewable Energy

Renewable energy refers to sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, which do not produce carbon emissions. The video explains how the environmental benefits of electric vehicles are maximized when they are charged using renewable energy rather than electricity generated from coal or other fossil fuels. In regions with access to cleaner energy, EVs have a far lower environmental impact compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.

💡Oil Refinement

Oil refinement is the process of turning crude oil into usable products like gasoline. The video highlights how this process contributes to significant CO2 emissions. It contrasts this with the energy sources for electric vehicles, showing how the gasoline supply chain, from drilling to refining, adds to the overall environmental damage of internal combustion engine vehicles.

💡Environmental Impact

Environmental impact refers to the overall effect that an activity has on the environment, including factors like greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and pollution. In the video, the environmental impact of both electric and internal combustion vehicles is analyzed, with a focus on CO2 emissions from production, usage, and energy sourcing, ultimately concluding that EVs have a lower overall environmental impact over their lifetime.

💡Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases, including CO2, that are emitted by a particular process or entity. The video compares the carbon footprint of producing and operating electric vehicles versus internal combustion engine vehicles, noting that while EV production has a higher initial carbon footprint, the lack of emissions during use means that EVs ultimately have a smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime.

Highlights

Debate on whether electric vehicles (EVs) are worse for the environment than internal combustion engines (ICEs).

Sponsorship by Keeps for discussing hair loss prevention.

EVs' initial environmental footprint is greater than ICEs due to large battery production.

Lithium mining for EV batteries produces greenhouse gases and is in high demand.

EV production on average emits 8 to 10 metric tons of CO2, compared to 7 for ICE vehicles.

Lithium mining in the Atacama desert has significant water supply implications.

Cobalt mining for batteries raises ethical concerns over child labor.

Challenges in recycling lithium-ion batteries due to volatility and risk of fires.

EV production is in its infancy compared to ICE engines, with potential for improvement.

Electricity sources for EVs vary, with coal power-plants being less efficient than clean energy sources.

ICE vehicle production emits 7 metric tons of CO2, with an additional 5.2 tons per year during use.

Crude oil extraction and refining contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

EVs are responsible for 28 metric tons of emissions over their lifespan, less than half of ICE vehicles.

EVs become more efficient than ICEs within six months to two years of driving.

EVs in regions with clean electricity are significantly more efficient.

Myth debunking: EV production and charging from coal plants do not produce more emissions than gas cars.

Myth debunking: The U.S. electric grid can handle a significant increase in EVs without disruption.

Myth debunking: Government subsidies for EVs are not solely benefiting the rich.

Acknowledgment that despite personal preferences, EVs have less environmental impact than ICEs.

Transcripts

(upbeat music)

- [Nolan] Every time we do a video on electric cars,

the same debate shows up in my comments.

Some people argue that electric vehicles

are worse for the environment

than internal combustion engines.

Others say that EVs are not even close to as bad

as internal combustion.

I--

I don't know.

So, I set out to find out once and for all,

are electric vehicles worse for the environment?

What I found genuinely surprised me.

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In this video, we're gonna do our best

to compare the environmental impact

of electric vehicles versus gas-powered ones.

And look, I'm gonna try to be as impartial

and unbiased as possible

because I am a car boy,

I love gas cars

and I love electric cars,

and I have no agenda to push.

I just wanna know what's true

and what's false, okay?

This could've easily been an hour long video

because honestly,

this is a lot more complicated than I initially thought.

But, I know you're busy, you ain't got time for that,

so we're just gonna look at some facts

for both types of vehicles

and try to draw a conclusion from that.

First, let's take a look at some ways

electric cars are bad for the environment.

And let me tell you, there's a few.

(upbeat music)

One of the biggest arguments against electric vehicles

is that battery production for an EV

is much more detrimental for the environment

than the production of internal combustion vehicles.

So, is that true?

Uh... yes!

The initial environmental footprint

from current electric vehicle production

is greater than production of internal combustion engines.

The large batteries EVs use are made with lithium,

which, like any raw material, needs to be mined,

and the mining process produces lots of greenhouse gases.

It's a problem that's only going to grow

unless the manufacturing process becomes more efficient.

Sales of EVs topped one million per year

for the first time in 2017.

Some estimates predict that by the year 2030,

there will be more than 125 million EVs on the road

and those vehicles are gonna need batteries.

Needless to say, lithium is in high demand

and it all has to come from somewhere.

It takes on average about eight to 10 metric tons of CO2

to produce an electric vehicle.

That's a lot.

Obviously, the bigger the battery,

the more CO2 it takes to produce it.

Some smaller batteries in economy size EVs

may take as few as two metric tons to produce

but larger EVs with long-rang batteries

could be responsible

for up to 17 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

Good Lord.

Conversely, the average production

for an internal combustion vehicle

produces around seven metric tons of CO2.

Why does EV production

lead to a bigger environmental footprint?

More than half of the world's lithium supply

comes from the, quote, lithium triangle,

an area between Chile, Bolivia

and Argentina.

In the arid salt-plains of the Atacama desert,

high up in the Andes Mountains,

workers drill through the crust of the salt

to get to the mineral-rich brine below the surface.

This process leaches massive amounts of groundwater

from the surrounding area,

resulting in a decreased water supply

and less accessible water for local agriculture.

In a region of Chile called Salar de Atacama,

mining companies have used 65% of the region's water.

It takes 750 tons of brine to produce one ton of lithium.

But lithium is just one of the components of a battery,

it's actually a smaller percentage than you might think too,

at around six percent.

A growing concern surrounds the sourcing

of another element used in batteries: cobalt.

But the issue is more of an ethical dilemma

as some cobalt mines use child labor,

which is reprehensible.

And then, there's the problem of recycling these things.

The process in which lithium ion batteries are recycled

is not at the point it needs to be

to deal with the growing number of spent batteries

from electric vehicles.

There are plenty of different challenges

associated with recycling these batteries.

Relatively inane things like storage becomes a huge issue

because of the volatility of the elements

in a lithium battery.

There have already been a number of fires

in facilities that process old batteries.

Is the number of potentially catastrophic fires

and explosions gonna go up

as more batteries are stockpiled in the future?

It all depends on how quickly the industry evolves

to deal with these issues.

The fact of the matter is

modern electric vehicle production

is in its relative infancy compared to gas engines,

so as time goes on

and new processes come into play,

the environmental impact will get better.

I hope.

The same can be said about where electric vehicles

get their electricity.

Right now, many regions of the U.S.

are still getting their power from coal power-plants,

so the impact of driving a zero emissions car

in those regions

is more detrimental to the environment

than driving an EV in place with clean energy,

such as wind, solar

and hydroelectric power-plants.

But, as those types of energy become more common,

the efficiency at which an EV operates will only get better.

So now that we know the very real problems

of electric vehicle production,

how do they compare to the internal combustion engine?

Let's start where we did with the electric vehicles:

production.

Manufacturing the average internal combustion vehicle

produces seven metric tons of CO2.

This number takes into account everything

from the mining ore for steel

to the moment the car rolls off the production line.

That number is lower than EVs

because of the absence of lithium ion batteries.

It also has to do with

how efficient ICE manufacturing has become.

We're talking about the industry

that is responsible for inventing the assembly line.

After the car rolls out of the factory,

greenhouse emissions from gasoline-powered cars

average around 5.2 metric tons per year,

and that's if the car drives

the national average of about 11,800 miles per year.

Over the lifespan of a car,

it's responsible for 57 metric tons of CO2,

that's seven for production

and 50 in emissions.

Gasoline, like lithium, has to be mined.

The average car in the U.S.

goes through about 500 gallons of gas per year,

and that gas, like the lithium in the batteries,

has to come from somewhere.

There's a lot of steps between the extraction of crude oil

to you filling your car at the gas station,

and each step has an environmental impact.

Crude oil extraction starts with drilling into the earth,

either on land or on the ocean floor.

After the crude oil is mined,

it needs to be refined into gasoline

and other petroleum products such jet fuel,

petroleum jelly

and plastic.

This process releases tons of greenhouse gases,

including not only CO2 but methane

and nitrous oxide as well.

Every day around the world,

close to 95 million barrels of oil are produced

and every day oil refinement is responsible

for emitting 767 millions tons of CO2

into the atmosphere.

Sure, the average car

is responsible for 5.2 tons of CO2 every year,

but oil refineries release

a whopping 280 billion metric tons of CO2

in that same timeframe.

(engine revs)

(beep) chargers driving by, dude.

All right, let's dial it back

and get some more manageable numbers, okay?

I'm sorry.

We know that over the average lifespan of a car

with an internal combustion engine,

it will emit roughly 57 metric tons of C02.

Over the same time period,

the average EV

is responsible for 28 metric tons of emissions,

less than half of that of an ICE engine.

Despite the fact that electric vehicles

make more CO2 during their production,

they more than make up for it

by not having any emissions during use.

Taking into account the emissions

produced by electric power-plants

that electric vehicles source their power from,

the national average for an EV

is around two metric tons per year.

So that means the average EV will become more efficient

than a gas-powered car between six months

to two years of driving it.

In fact, even the least efficient electric vehicle

with the dirtiest power source,

like a coal power-plant,

will be better for the environment

than the most efficient gas engine

after a certain period of time.

Electric vehicles in states

with access to cleaner electricity

like windmills, solar

and hydroelectric power-plants

are significantly more efficient.

Look, I cross-referenced everything in this video

and have no agenda to push,

I just wanted to put that out there

because, you know,

it's kinda tiring seeing the same bogus facts

being regurgitated in the comments

every time we make a video on EVs.

Let's take a look at a few more myths.

Myth number one:

electric vehicle production

and charging from coal-powered plants

produces more emissions than gas car production

and operation.

False.

If you need a little more convincing,

here's an amazing app that can calculate

and compare the emissions of any gas car

versus any electric car,

and in the long run,

any EV beats any gas car in efficiency.

I'll put the link right here

and in the description

if you wanna check it out for yourself.

Myth number two:

our electric grid can't handle the onslaught of EVs.

This one is also false.

Even if a quarter of the cars on the road

were electric tomorrow,

the electric grids in the U.S.

could handle all of them without a disruption.

Myth number three:

government subsidies for electric cars

are unfair to poor people,

they only benefit the rich.

Now this is a pretty (mumble) insight, okay?

It's true that if you buy an electric car,

you can get a federal rebate of up to 7500 bucks.

That benefits everyone.

But if you're rich enough to buy an expensive luxury EV,

like a Tesla Model X,

you'll actually only receive about half of that amount.

Yeah, kinda surprising, huh?

Look, man, I love my gas-powered Mustang,

I'm gonna own a gas-powered car for the rest of my life.

Nothing matches the sound of a V8 turning gas into noise,

I'm gonna get that tattooed onto me someday.

But I still have to acknowledge the truth.

No matter how you spin it,

electric vehicles have less of an environmental impact

than gas-powered cars.

I'm not gonna say you're a bad person if you don't like EVs,

'cause you're not,

I just wanna put the facts on the table.

If this video helped you learn,

I'm very happy for that,

and I welcome you aboard.

There doesn't need to be any sort of separation.

Hey, if you liked this video,

hit that subscribe button down there

and hit the bell too

so you never miss another Donut video.

We're uploading every day now,

which is... kinda stressful.

But we're having fun.

Follow me on all socia media @nolanjsykes.

Follow Donut @donutmedia on all socia.

Be kind.

Be kind!

I'll see you next time.

All right.

(cup crashes)

Ah, Christ.

I just spilled water everywhere.