This topic, however often treated superficially, it is perhaps the most complex (and controversial) between i 10 to dispel myths about electric bikes. It is evident that since the batteries are Lithium Ion we are developing a new addiction to this mineral. There are, however substantial differences with respect to dependence on oil.
In the case of batteries, in fact, yes it is working to increasingly reduce the presence of lithium and cobalt and also to replace it with other technologies – thing with oil obviously would not be possible to do. He is working on batteries Sodium, the magnesium sulfide, The Zinc and – Perhaps the most fascinating – to the The graphs with the aim of always having better solutions and greater autonomy.
Another way is that of solid state batteries which would offer greater density and lower costs, lightness, affidabilità, easy to store and are non-flammable. We will know more in the coming years.
For the moment, however,, we have to deal with the Lithium that, in ogni caso, it's a lot less impactful of the enormous damage we have caused to our planet by extracting oil.
In terms of environmental impact, Lithium is not comparable to oil
Also with the spread of electric mobility, Italy would see reduce economic losses caused by the import of fossil fuel.
According to the study “Fuelling Italy’s Future”, coordinated by the European Climate Foundation, if oil imports were cut, our country would save 21 billions of euros by 2030 and 377 billions of euros by 2050. It would be a recovery! Not to mention the costs that derive from public health…
This does not mean that lithium does not have an impact, that producing an electric vehicle does not have an environmental cost and that even using it does not have one. Of course it does! But as explained in this other article, the impact is in any case lower than oil.
And the Cobalt mines?
A sensitive subject is that of mines, especially of Cobalt. We know that they are the cause of exploitation, which is why initiatives such as Ethical Cobalt and work is underway to replace Cobalt cathodes with other materials, such as Tesla is already doing.
summing up: unlike oil slavery, exploded without control and without environmental concern, lithium is not slavery at all but a choice that takes into account the various aspects on the plate.
#RIDEMORE
