I was SUPER excited over the new Tesla Model 3. From the price tag, to the design not looking like something George Jetson would drive.

Then some jerk-face came and said “It’s not even sustainable!” And to which I replied “WHAT!? An electric car doesn’t burn fuel! It has to be perfect!”

And so started this post.

There are 2 factors to look at in respect to a “green” vehicle.

1. Where is my local energy coming from?

2. What materials are used to create my vehicle?

Where does my local energy come from?

Here in BC, our electricity largely comes from Hydro. 95% renewables. So yes in my area it is a reasonable assumption that when I plug in my vehicle, it is still environmentally friendly.

A quick google search can tell you if your local energy is renewable.

What materials are used to create my vehicle?

This is a heated topic, as it is the only part of an electric vehicle that “Big Oil” has as ammunition.

With a quick google search you’ll find “RARE EARTH METALS!” And start a quick rabbit hole for yourself!

“Any of a group of chemically similar metallic elements comprising the lanthanide series and (usually) scandium and yttrium. They are not especially rare, but they tend to occur together in nature and are difficult to separate from one another.” (Dictionary.com)

“Specifically, the use of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals that are part of an EV lithium-ion battery pack has raised red flags about the poor human rights and worker protection records in the countries where these materials are mined.” (https://blog.ucsusa.org/josh-goldman/electric-vehicles-batteries-cobalt-and-rare-earth-metals)

The bad news..

Yes your city may benefit from the clean air you wisp away, but the country from which your car was compiled from, is suffering dearly.

From child labour to human rights violations to dirty water from mine pits, it’s a hole we should stray from.

Currently it is very easy to find out who has the best Battery; but to find out who does the least amount of damage, very hard.

The Good…

With all this in mind, EV’s even WITH the CO2 burned from a coal factory to charge it, is more efficient as the factory produced energy is far more efficient.