I agree electric vehicle isn't the sole solution for all transportation methods. But for personal transport, it is the most efficient and convenient solution for vast majority of the use cases.
- Most efficient: compared to next best zero-emission solution, hydrogen fuel cell, double the energy ends up turning the wheels
- Most convenient: vast majority of cars are parked over 90% of the time, during that time, it can be plugged in
Until we build enough renewables to not care about wasting precious energy that had been produced. Efficiency is king. Anything vastly not as efficient must be only considered as backup solutions.
Yes there are questionable things happening with mining of battery materials. But, has the fossil fuel industry totally free of any issues? The difference here is that almost everything in the battery can be recycled. Whereas fossil fuel is a single-use consumable. Luckily batteries have a very long life, they continue to be used long after an useful life in a car before needing to be sent to recycling.
On infrastructure, national average of
72% have access to off-street parking, thus don't need to be reliant on public infrastructure. Then there is workplace charging or wherever people park for long periods of time.
One has to remember rapid charging is a very rare occurrence for most EV owners. Despite rising energy prices, EV tariff are still available at 7.5p/kWh, which translates to ~2.5p/mile.
On cost of EV's. Looking at a non-electrified car, it's just as expensive. Price for everything has gone up over last year. For example, a Merc GLC base price starts at £45k without any optional extra while a higher spec'd Tesla Model Y is £51k yet offers more interior space.
Any burning done in our nitrogen rich atmosphere
will produce some level of nitrogen oxide. Replacing one combustion fuel with another is just a repeat of diesel circus.
Fuel cell is the only viable use of hydrogen for low energy use (transportation).
