During the recent ASEAN summit in Indonesia, considered one of the topics discussed was the event of the electrical vehicle ecosystem. In fact, throughout the ASEAN Summit, the Indonesian government used many electric vehicles.
Overall, most electric cars available today have significantly lower emissions than gasoline cars. However, in accordance with Fanny Tri Jambore, Wahana Lingkungan Indonesia’s (WALHI) mining and energy campaign manager, electric vehicles can’t be considered a part of the green energy transition. The technique of producing and charging electric vehicle batteries continues to contribute to high greenhouse gas emissions. On the opposite hand, nickel mining activities proceed to have a big impact on environmental damage.
This statement is supported by Abhilash Gupta, an automotive analyst at research firm Counterpoint, who said it’s unlikely that electric vehicle battery production will achieve carbon neutrality. Additionally, increased mining and production activities on this industry may pose risks to the environment and human rights.
Green downstream, problem upstream
Like other batteries, the lithium-ion cells utilized in most electric vehicles depend on raw materials reminiscent of cobalt, lithium and other rare earth elements. Unfortunately, these raw materials are sometimes related to serious environmental and human rights issues, and cobalt is some of the controversial.
Cobalt mining produces hazardous tailings and slag that may pollute the encircling environment. Studies have also shown high levels of exposure to cobalt and other metals in surrounding communities, particularly amongst children. The technique of extracting metals from cobalt ore involves smelting, which can produce sulfur oxides and other harmful air pollutants.
In fact, many automakers and other corporations have pledged to eliminate “artisanal” cobalt from their supply chains and have also said they’ll develop battery technologies that reduce or eliminate using cobalt. However, in accordance with Mickaël Daudin of Pact, a non-profit organization that works with mining communities in Africa, such commitments are considered “unrealistic” attributable to the indisputable fact that the technology continues to be in development and the widespread nature of cobalt deposits.
Environmental hazards related to nickel mining
The Business and Human Rights Council (BHRRC) has warned of environmental risks and human rights abuses linked to nickel mining and processing in Indonesia and the Philippines. These violations include lack of consent from indigenous communities to mining on their lands, destruction of rainforests, damage to crops, water pollution, health problems reminiscent of respiratory diseases, and declines in local fish stocks.
Indonesia’s nickel sector has a big environmental impact and contributes to carbon emissions. This poses a challenge for electric automotive manufacturers, who’re under pressure to administer environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues of their supply chains, including carbon emissions. Some electric vehicle makers prefer “low-carbon” nickel, but the provision is insufficient and it commands a better price.
A 2019 study by scientists at Khairun University in North Maluku, Indonesia, found higher than normal levels of heavy metals linked to nickel mining off the principal island’s southern coast. The study also found traces of heavy metals in at the least 12 marine species, including saltwater mussels, mangrove snappers, cow-eye fish and striped trevally.
Challenges and hopes
However, in accordance with Fanny Tri Jambore, the federal government has several options to create an eco-friendly ecosystem for electric vehicles without harming the environment. One of them is to refrain from granting licenses for large-scale nickel mining. Additionally, efforts to recycle batteries from current nickel production could also reduce the demand for mined nickel ore, making it unnecessary to open mines in all regions of Indonesia.
However, this recycling effort will not be a straightforward process. Given the tip of lifetime of previous generation electric vehicles, the challenge is to stop the buildup of unused batteries. Most electric vehicles now use lithium-ion batteries, which have greater energy storage capability than older lead-acid batteries.
Unfortunately, the recycling rate for lithium-ion batteries is estimated to be only about 5 percent. These used batteries actually contain priceless metals and other materials that will be recovered and reused. However, the battery recycling process may eat large amounts of water or pollute the air.
However, experts consider that with time and innovation, the recycling rate of lithium-ion batteries will increase. A promising approach is to offer used electric vehicle batteries a second life through storage and other uses.
The commitment to transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles is indeed encouraging. However, further assessment, research and development is required to handle the issue not only downstream but in addition upstream. Electric vehicles are indeed more environmentally friendly, but there are still many assessments of their production because they cause damage to the environment.
Reference:
- Intan, Gita. (2022). The environmental impact dwarfs Indonesia’s ambitions to turn out to be a significant player in the worldwide electric vehicle ecosystem. Indonesian seeds
- Sawal, Rabul. (2022). Red Seas and lack of fish: nickel mining takes its toll on Indonesia’s spice island. Mongabay
- Taylor, Michael. Nickel mining for electric vehicles poses a risk of abuse in Southeast Asia. Contextual messages
- TAylor, Michael. (2023). Southeast Asia lags in electric vehicles. Can he catch up. Contextual messages
