In the production of an electric car, just as much environmental damage is done as in the production of a gasoline car. The mining of lithium is one of the most disgusting businesses on the planet.
Not as much environmental damage is done, however, in the [i]use[/i] of an electric car, which is the actual point.
Not only that, but in Montreal alone there are 20,000 km of roads which are paved and patched with bitumen (which I can determine from the stench). So they can drive their E-cars made using mining (and energy mostly derived from fossil fuels), and on roads made with heavy oil. But they can feel good about themselves, I suppose.
When I take transit to somewhere the metro doesn't serve, I board a bus. It drives those same roads. Should I feel just as guilty as someone driving? Would it be no improvement whatsoever if every transit bus in the city were electrified?
Yeah, reducing pollution is a great idea. But the answer is to get as many cars off the road as possible, gasoline or electric. That means making it easier for people to get to work and to where they want to shop, get care, and be entertained. Uh, much more accessible transit.
I don't think anyone on this board is arguing against expanding accessible transit. Some people don't use it, whether it's because they can't given their commute, they're truck drivers hauling cargo, or they're just the stereotypical selfish driver we all love to hate. Surely it's better to have them driving electric cars than the gasoline-powered variety. In the face of a climate catastrophe, every little bit helps.
