NEGATIVE IMPACT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

INTRODUCTION

From saving money on gas to feeling like a superhero with zero emissions, the advantages of electric vehicles for humans are becoming increasingly impossible to ignore. It has greater reliability and durability, since electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and are less prone to mechanical failures. And let's not forget the incentives and tax breaks that come with buying an electric vehicle, making them even more appealing to consumers who just can't resist a good deal. The smooth and silent operation of electric vehicles is like a lullaby for our busy cities

The benefits of electric vehicles have not gone unnoticed by governments, as demonstrated by the establishment of The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 with the aim of capitalizing on the many advantages they offer for the economy. And last but the most important thing that it is making people believe that just by driving an electric car, they're doing their part to save the planet.

Electric vehicles are the ultimate win-win for humans - they get to feel good about being "green" while conveniently ignoring the devastating environmental impact of their trendy new cars. From the production and disposal of their batteries to the source of the electricity used to power them, electric vehicles have a complex and far-reaching impact on the environment. In this blog, we'll explore the negative impact of electric vehicles on the environment and what can be done to mitigate their impact.

ITS TIME TO BE HONEST ABOUT EV – A CRADLE TO GRAVE ANALYIS

Electric vehicles may be clean, but the manufacturing is far from green.

Electric vehicles have been considered as a solution to reduce our reliance on vehicles that burn fossil fuels. Unfortunately, also "out of sight" are the environmental consequences of manufacturing and recycling the lead- acid batteries, electric vehicles require to run on.

Electric cars use powertrain batteries that supply energy to all the engine components for the vehicle to function as expected. What is in doubt is not the value of the battery but the supply chain of the battery and most importantly the raw materials used in producing them. The raw materials used in making these batteries are lithium and its variants. These variants include cobalt, nickel, manganese and several other rare earth materials {REE} which are only found beneath the Earth's surface. Currently the material dominating the market is the cobalt which is used by various automobile companies. Tesla, on the other hand, uses a combination of lithium cobalt manganese. Cobalt mining is inhumane and its exploratory activities are harmful to the environment.

“Production of an average petrol car will involve emissions amounting to the equivalent of 5.6 tonnes of CO2, while for an average electric car, the figure is 8.8 tonnes,” The Guardian states, citing a recent study.

Charging Electric Vehicles: An Overlooked Environmental Concern

Just because there are no two hole tailpipes to emit the poisonous gases into the air, that doesn’t mean that electric vehicles are entirely emissions-free. Electric vehicles do generate emissions but in a different way. The main difference between age old vehicles and new electric vehicles is what it takes to run. Electric vehicles run on electricity stored in rechargeable batteries. The only possible way to emit anything is while charging. The power plants supplying energy to the grid we use to charge those vehicles can produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions if they’re powered by burning fossil fuels which is bringing us back to the square one. Electric cars if charged at home can also be a hassle on your energy bill.

In India, the EPA is as an umbrella legislation enacted with a view to control, prevent and abate environmental pollution.

Infrastructure Challenges Arising from Electric Vehicles

The building of new infrastructure to support electric vehicles, such as charging stations and battery recycling facilities, can also have an impact on the environment if not done sustainably.

Since EVs also qualify as 'motor vehicles' under the MV Act, EVs are also governed by the provisions of the statute. The MV Act empowers the Central Government to notify any standard to be conformed by a manufacturer of motor vehicles and to make rules regulating the construction, equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles.

But it's not just the production process that has negative impacts on the environment. The disposal of EV batteries is also a cause for concern.

The Environmental Risks associated with Disposing of Electric Vehicle Chargers.

Electric vehicle batteries have a limited lifespan, and when they die, they need to be replaced. These batteries contain toxic chemicals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, when disposed negligently, it can leach into the soil and groundwater, contaminating it with toxic substances. They contain flammable electrolytes that can ignite if exposed to heat or punctured. Burning or incinerating lithium batteries can release harmful gases and particulate matter into the air. Exposure to the toxic chemicals and heavy metals found in lithium batteries can pose health risks to humans and wildlife, including respiratory problems, neurological damage, and cancer. Thus, the negligent disposal of batteries of electric vehicles can contribute to soil, water air pollution fire, health haphazard and what not!

The disposal of these batteries is a major challenge, and there are currently no effective solutions to deal with the growing number of electric vehicle batteries that will need to be disposed of in the coming years.

In addition, we lack proper regulations to prohibit the improper disposal of used lithium batteries. The current legislations – “ the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules,2011, E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016, and E-waste (Management) Amendment Rules,2018 — have evolved significantly in terms of the range of materials. They do not, however, have a comprehensive set of guidelines for the safe disposal of electric vehicle batteries.

In fact, in 2018, the United States Department of Energy reported that the disposal of electric vehicle batteries could become a major environmental challenge, and that there could be a shortage of recycling facilities in the coming years. This is a serious concern, as the production of electric vehicle batteries is expected to increase dramatically in the near future.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES VS AGE OLD VEHICLES, WHAT’S BETTER? – THE MUCH NEEDED COMPARISION

While electric vehicles may have their drawbacks, they still hold an eco-friendly edge over their gas-guzzling predecessors

Electric vehicles were not just born out of necessity, but out of a collective desire to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for generations to come, where we can travel freely without leaving a trail of pollution behind us.

In addition to lower greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles also have other environmental benefits. They produce no tailpipe emissions, which means they do not contribute to local air pollution, which can have serious health impacts. Furthermore, they do not require oil changes or other regular maintenance that can lead to the release of toxic chemicals into the environment.

The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 is one of the environmental legislations that protects and strives to improve the environment. These hazards posed by the adoption of E-vehicles may run contrary to some provisions of the Act. Although the technology in this field is advanced, there is still room for improvement. As a result, these considerations should be kept in mind while implementing measures to reduce air pollution and a decision must be made after a thorough investigation of their long-term implications.

While electric vehicles are not perfect and do have some environmental drawbacks, they have many potential environmental benefits that make them a promising alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Those existent negative effects of electric vehicles can also be removed if I think these suggestions are taken into consideration.

By implementing these suggestions, we can mitigate the negative effects of electric vehicles and pave the way for a sustainable future where transportation is both eco-friendly and efficient.

SUGGESTIONS

It needs the government, the manufactures and even you to solve these problems and making the switch a step in the right direction towards a greener tomorrow.

THE LEGISLATURE’S DUTY

Proper disposal and recycling of lithium batteries is important to minimize these negative impacts on the environment and public health. Proper disposal of these batteries will solve more than 50% of the negative effects of electric vehicles on the environment.

Since there is no effective framework for disposal of batteries, the legislature must come forward to make a law as EV sales are predicted to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 35% in the country until 2026.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPER’S DUTY

Developing infrastructure to support electric vehicle use, such as more charging stations and incentives for businesses to install them. India also has pushed for EV mandates through schemes like "FAME I and FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles).

By incorporating these schemes into their development plans, infrastructure developers can not only improve the environmental impact of electric vehicles, but also enhance the overall infrastructure for sustainable transport options.

OUR DUTY AS CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMERS

Educating the public on the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and encouraging more people to make the switch.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of M.C. Mehta v. Union of India stated that the right to a healthy environment is a fundamental human right, which guarantees the right to clean air, safeguarded by Article 21 of the Constitution. So, it is our responsibility to make sure our right doesn’t get violated.

Electric vehicles run on batteries which are charged by electricity, and this electricity is made from non-renewable sources, which is actually making electric vehicle a bad friend of the environment. What if these non-renewable sources don’t come into the picture and what if I say this is in our hands? Yes, when we buy these electric vehicles the first thing we do is we charge it at home. As mentioned earlier, Electric cars can also be a hassle on your energy bill if you’re not considering the options carefully. The best alternative option at hand is installing solar panels at home. By harnessing the power of the sun, you can generate your own electricity, which means less reliance on fossil fuels and a cleaner environment for everyone while also saving money on your energy bills.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, electric vehicles are not as environmentally friendly as they seem. While they may not emit greenhouse gases when in use, their production and disposal processes contribute to carbon emissions and pollution. As electric vehicles become more popular, it is important to address the environmental challenges associated with their production and disposal. So, next time you see an electric vehicle, remember that it may not be as green as it looks but we can make it look greener

As the "Constitution's Part IVA (Article 51A- Fundamental Duties)" imposes a duty on every citizen to improve and safeguard the environment, as well as to have compassion for all living beings, we can work towards mitigating the negative impacts of electric vehicles and creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.

By

Dakshayani Donthu

III BA LLB

ILS LAW COLLEGE, PUNE