Electric Cars, Good For The Environment? Think Again.....

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49759626

[spathiphyllum]

Yeah but they are good for the environment aren't they... Yes we may need to mine some metals (they're pretty accessible) but in the long term this will be beneficial for the environment.

Mining for cobalt compared to mining for oil... At least when we spill the cobalt thousands of animals don't die.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/oilimpacts.html

[NellieMay]

Saw that on the news today Spath. I was appalled.

[NellieMay]

Posted too soon. It pointed out the damage that is likely to occur to the animal life, which is just as bad as oil.

[Old_Geezer]

Well alternatively, I hear hydrogen cars go like a bomb !

[davebro]

ALL cars are bad for the environment - just building one takes an enormous amount of resources never mind running the darn things.

Perhaps we should go back to horses - but what about the exhaust gases?

[NellieMay]

To be honest, I think we have gone too far to be able to rectify the damage we (humans) have done to our planet. Nature always wins the fight. Soon time for another big change!

[jourdain2]

Breed more cows! Very seriously, I read recently that prototype cars have been developed which uses slurry as a primary source of power. I can't remember the science, but it works and the raw material can then be re-used as a fertiliser. It was a serious report and could be the answer. Batteries from electric cars are going to be a huge disposal problem - so they are not the answer.

[Gromit]

Er, we mine oil from our seas causing colossal environmental damage.

The research in Spain is an experiment to assess the environmental impact of mining the sea bed. You seem to have already Decided conclusion of the experiment before it has started.

The biggest use of Cobalt is not Electric cars it is our mobile devices, smartphones, laptops and tablets. Will you stop buying those out of concerns for the environment?

They are exploring new sources of Cobalt in anticipation of use of the material outstripping current supply when electric cars become more abundant in the future.

There is plenty of Cobalt on the Earth for future supply. They are exploring seabed mining because it promises to be cheaper.

[NellieMay]

//it is our mobile devices, smartphones, laptops and tablets. Will you stop buying those out of concerns for the environment?//

Personally, yes I would! :O)

[CrapAtCryptics]

Better than petrol / diesel / LPG I would think