According to a study by economic think tank GTRI, production of electric vehicles (EVs) in India will increase dependence on China for raw materials, mineral processing and battery production. Additionally, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) stated that a life cycle impact analysis is necessary for the electric vehicles sector. According to reports, around 70 per cent of the material used to make EVs in India is sourced from China and a few other countries. Pollutants are released during the production, disposal and charging processes of batteries.
It added, “EVs will increase India’s dependence on China for raw materials, mineral processing and battery production.” China has bought the largest lithium mines in Australia and South America. It processes more than 60 percent of the lithium produced globally. It also processes 65 per cent cobalt and 93 per cent manganese.
Read also: Anand Mahindra reacts to Bill Gates driving e-rickshaw, asks billionaire to race Sachin Tendulkar
China makes three out of four batteries produced globally, she said, adding more than 100 Chinese battery units make up 60 percent of cathodes and 80 percent of anodes used in lithium-ion cells.
The report pointed out that EVs have an impact on jobs and pollution, and identified 13 issues of interest to consumers, industry and government for evaluation.
Issues include high prices of these vehicles, fitness of EVs for long journeys, performance in inclement weather, increase in electricity demand, less fit for public transport, increasing dependence on China, no reduction in pollution, disruption in auto components Are. area, and insufficient availability of lithium.
GTRI co-founder Ajay Srivastava said, “EVs with lithium-ion batteries are, at best, a work-in-progress innovation. We must understand the long-term impact of EVs on jobs, pollution levels, imports and economic growth. ” ,
On the issue of pollution, it explained that a 500 kg lithium car battery uses 12 kg lithium, 15 kg cobalt, 30 kg nickel, 44 kg copper and 50 kg graphite. About 200 kg of steel, aluminum and plastic are also used in this. The mining, extraction, transportation and processing of these materials release pollutants and CO2, causing air and water pollution.
“The life of a battery is 6-7 years, after which it needs to be recycled. Recycling is complicated as batteries contain many toxic substances that are challenging to dispose of. Companies promoting EVs talk of zero tail-pipe emissions. are there but silent on mining.” and disposal costs,” the report said.
Furthermore, it has been said that EVs will only increase pollution as the batteries are charged with electricity generated from coal. India generates 60 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, and of this, coal accounts for 50 percent.
“Electric cars make sense only when the majority of electricity comes from renewable energy,” adding that EVs will disrupt India’s auto-component industry with 700 organized and 10,000 unorganized manufacturers.
It also said that EVs would bring to an end the existence of lakhs of shops/garages selling spare parts, oil changing and servicing vehicles. Furthermore, it said that EVs are not a global phenomenon, and the push for it is coming from Europe, which is introducing a carbon border adjustment mechanism to protect its polluting industry and disrupt global trade.
“There is no standardization in charging ports for electric scooters. Each firm releases its own charging port model. Until charging ports are standardised, each manufacturer has to set up separate charging infra across the country.”
with PTI inputs