[deostroll]

This paper covers only one aspect - estimating demand. But the cost of the EV batteries is another affair. Recently it has come to light several human rights violations involved with the lithium/cobalt mining industry. Both are necessary for making batteries and other electrical components that make up rechargeable batteries.

But today, at least for the short-term, the only solution to stop those inhuman practices is to provide humanitarian aid. The proliferation of violations are at such a scale that even if some major tech players come together and decide that they should provide this humanitarian aid to the "miners", the profit margins drop drastically.

Hence EV batteries may not become viable to the end-consumers.

[jillesvangurp]

Lithium is one of the more common elements on this planet. It's not a rare earth mineral. And there are ways to get lithium now that don't involve boohoo stories with small children breaking their backs under inhumane circumstances. E.g. Tesla is opening a lithium refining facility in Texas. And there are several battery chemistries that don't use cobalt at all now as well. And of course you can source cobalt from reputable mines as well these days if you do need it. And many companies make an effort to do just that.

And of course batteries can be recycled and this is expected to be a big business pretty soon. Most EV manufacturers are already recycling their batteries. These things won't end up in landfills.

So, it's not the case that all batteries must involve child labor and mass pollution. There are definitely some sustainability issues around battery production of course. Can we do better? Absolutely. But it's not that horrible to begin with. And it pales in comparison to the oil and gas industry. Lots of crocodile tears get expended on behalf of the children in the Congo. But nobody ever wonders where their petrol comes from. Double standards/hypocrisy.