Electric cars have been a huge step in sustainability for road travel, with many opting to switch in order to reduce carbon emissions. However, are they really the eco-friendly solutions they appear to be? Here are 19 reasons why electric cars should be banned.
Their Battery Production has a Negative Environmental Impact
Sure, electric cars run on batteries instead of gas, but the production of those batteries is actually an environmental concern. EV batteries require raw materials such as lithium and nickel, and the mining of these materials produces carbon emissions in itself, not to mention humanitarian concerns.
Electric Cars Aren’t Equipped for Long-Distance Travel
While electric vehicles are easily charged and maintained for short journeys, their battery life becomes an issue for long-distance journeys. The issue of limited battery life still remains, meaning you’ll only get a certain amount of miles before needing to stop and charge for 30 minutes again. This could easily lead to disaster!
EV Batteries are Expensive to Replace
We all know the high maintenance cost of car parts, but another reason electric cars should be banned is the extortionate battery replacement cost. According to U.S. News, they can cost as much as $20,000, although, to be fair, their battery life ranges between 10 and 20 years.
They Put a Huge Strain on the Energy Grid
Because electric cars have become so popular, the increased demand for electricity is putting a large strain on the existing energy grid. This, in turn, can risk more blackouts or even energy shortages. How will you charge your vehicle then?
The Production of Electric Cars Results in Resource Depletion
Batteries for electric vehicles require the extraction of minerals, which means these natural resources are being depleted more quickly—so much so that regions rich in these deposits face ecological destruction. The increased demand for these resources could lead to further problems in the future, too, so we’re wary.
The Environmental Hazard of Disposal
Another reason electric cars should be banned is the reality of disposing of them—specifically, their batteries. Electric vehicles only have a lifespan of up to 20 years, which means batteries need to be disposed of fairly regularly, posing another hazard to the environment.
Electricity Generation Still Has a Carbon Footprint
The sheer amount of electricity needed to power so many electric cars often comes from power plants that use fossil fuel, meaning they aren’t the eco-friendly choice you might think they are. This can easily cancel out the benefit of reducing emissions by switching from gas, which is rather ironic.
Ethical Concerns in Mining
Some might say that another key reason to ban electric cars is the ethical concerns behind the mining of their battery components. The World Economic Forum reveals issues of human rights abuse and the use of child labor in mineral extraction used for powering electric cars… now that isn’t very sustainable!
Economic Uncertainty
Electric cars are also problematic due to the uncertainty they put on traditional industries such as oil. Causing such vast changes in oil demand means that those people who depend on oil revenues face an uncertain future within the economy. That just doesn’t seem fair.
High Initial Costs
One other consideration in whether electric cars should be banned is their outrageously high initial cost, not to mention the savings you’d need to prepare for replacing the expensive battery. Typically, electric vehicles are priced higher than gas vehicles, with some reaching prices that are completely unaffordable to most.
A Ban Could Make Transportation More Accessible
While electric cars remain popular on the road, many people face unequal transportation options or the reality of not being able to afford electric cars. A ban could even out the transportation field and put everyone on an equal footing until electric vehicles improve their design and prices. That sounds wise to us.
The Required Investment in Charging Stations
Electric cars also require constant building of adequate charging stations to power them, which requires a substantial investment to maintain. It’s a harsh reality that more rural areas can’t implement adequate charging facilities for electric vehicles, isolating them from richer areas.
They Have Unique Safety Concerns
Furthermore, electric vehicles pose safety risks unique to them in a way that regular vehicles don’t. ROSPA lists just some of the dangers associated with electric vehicles, such as fatal electric shock and electrical explosions, which could be enough justification to ban them. Don’t get us started on self-driving EVs!
Anxiety for Drivers Regarding Battery Life
Another reason electric cars should be banned is the lack of peace of mind they provide their drivers. Owners will undoubtedly have anxiety about most journeys, including always needing to stop to charge, whether they’ll find a charging station available, and how long their battery is going to last.
Manufacturing Electric Vehicles Consumes Energy
The process of making an electric vehicle consumes a significant amount of energy in itself, which once again counteracts its sustainability by increasing the use of non-renewable energy resources. This is yet another irony of electric vehicles; we think the developers need to think carefully about what they’re doing!
The Potential for Electronic Waste Increasing
Electric vehicles may seem like the more eco-friendly option when they’re on the road, but what about when all those electric cars come to the end of their life? All the electronic components on top of the battery will put a strain on effective waste disposal – something that remains a challenge.
There are Still Technological Limitations
Even as they are, electric cars still have a long way to go in terms of technology, more specifically with their battery capabilities. Breakthroughs would be needed if electric cars were to have a practical future, which means current limitations can put many people off investing in them.
Reduced Performance in Cold Weather
You need a car you can depend on, come rain or shine, so the reality of electric cars being less dependable in cold conditions could be justification for banning them. Cold weather significantly depletes their battery life and charging speeds, making them dangerously unreliable. Imagine getting stranded in the snow!
Pedestrian Safety is an Issue
One final reason electric cars shouldn’t be on the road is their silent and deadly nature. Their quiet operation often means they go unnoticed and risk accidents. Sadly, The Telegraph reports that twice as many people are hit by electric vehicles than by traditional cars!
Up Next: You’re a Genuine 70s Kid If You Can Remember These 18 Things
Life was very different in the ‘70s. It was a simpler era when children played until the sun went down, with much less fear than today! If you’re looking for some nostalgia, here are 18 things that you will only remember if you grew up in the ’70s.
YOU’RE A GENUINE 70S KID IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THESE 18 THINGS
17 Signs Someone Has a High IQ
Intelligence is far from linear, determined by a wealth of factors extending beyond academic prowess and supposed good grades. However, despite the complexities of intelligence, there are a few telltale signs that people with high IQs tend to possess. Here are 17 of them.
17 SIGNS SOMEONE HAS A HIGH IQ
19 Common Behaviors of Highly Intelligent People
Highly intelligent people tend to be complex individuals with multiple unique behavioral traits in their personalities. Some are easy to spot, and some are more nuanced, but regardless, here are 19 common behaviors that highly intelligent people will often exhibit.