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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Telegraph or enjoy below
🗞️ Driving the news: As countries like the UK push for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in an effort to reach net-zero carbon emissions, concerns are emerging about the ethics, environmental impact, and practicality of this transition
• The implications of EV manufacturing on Congolese cobalt mines, South American water supply, and increased mineral demand are raising questions about whether electric cars are as clean or ethical as they appear
🔭 The context: Governments and city authorities are promoting electric cars to reduce urban air pollution and meet climate goals
• The UK, for example, plans to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030
🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The environmental and social impacts of EV manufacturing and the need for minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel highlight a complex picture where the sustainability benefits might not be as clear-cut as initially thought
⏭️ What's next: Governments and manufacturers are navigating a complex transition with various policies, mandates, and incentives
• Striking the right balance between encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles and addressing the environmental and ethical challenges associated with their production will be a key challenge in the coming years
💬 One quote: "We rely on our cars, and [...] for many of us they’re a necessity. We’re less than pleased when politicians try to dictate to us what type we should have, or worse, threaten to charge us obscene amounts of money for being unable to afford a more modern 'cleaner' version. Particularly when they aren’t actually that clean after all." (Kathryn Porter, Energy Consultant)
📈 One stat: According to the International Energy Agency, electric cars require 173 kilograms more minerals per vehicle than a conventional car
• Some studies even suggest that an electric car must be driven as many as 50,000 miles to break even in terms of emissions with a conventional car
Click for more news covering the latest on electric vehicles
