EVs are not the solution many think

This is in response to the Bruce Mainzer guest view article "Illinois lagging unnecessarily in promoting EV purchases" appearing in the Opinion section Aug. 23. The article assumes that EVs are the solution to the "pressing need to quickly decarbonize automobiles and trucks."

Here are some facts to weigh against that assumption:

Sixty-four percent of electricity in the U.S. comes from carbon fuel - oil, coal and gas. The fact that the vehicle does not emit exhaust does not mean that it is not using carbon-based energy. The carbon exhaust is being emitted where the power is generated.

The U.S. accounts for approximately 13% of the world's carbon emissions. Even if we were to get that to 0%, what about the 87% that the U.S. has no control over? If this is indeed an "emergency" will 13% really save the world?

Our power grid capacity struggles now, where are the funds coming from to increase that capacity?

How do we dispose of all the dead batteries after their useful life? Currently the "recycling" process uses toxic chemicals which do not capture the most valuable element, which is lithium. Recycling is more toxic than it's worth.

Mining the minerals for EV batteries uses a significant amount of carbon fueled equipment. Plus these mines create their own environmental damage, which includes groundwater pollution, excessive water use, destruction of wildlife habitats, damage to topsoil, harmful runoff from chemicals etc.

The countries where the minerals are most prevalent are not our friends. Tesla gets 85% of its lithium from China, for example. EVs make U.S. energy dependent, just like oil.

Rather than spending money on EVs that provide debatable benefit, the U.S. would be wiser to spend that money on innovation to find a clean solution that will have a lasting positive impact worldwide.

EVs are not that solution.

Brett Hartmann

Palatine