PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
How ethical are electric cars?
When doing research for EVs all I’ve heard is that they help with reducing fuel costs for drivers. But does the manufacturing of EVs help the environment as well? How ethical are electric cars?
Marlee John · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question. While electric cars do help to reduce the costs of fuel for drivers there are definitely some ethical concerns when it comes to the electric vehicle industry.
All cars whether gas-powered or electric are manufactured in plants that are usually not all-electric powered. Despite being praised for their lack of emissions, many companies fail to report the fact that mining for the materials used in EVs is if not more damaging to the environment than driving a gas car.
Big drilling companies, extract and produce tonnes of rare earth metals like lithium and cobalt every year which causes damage to the ecosystem in those areas.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has the world’s highest concentration of cobalt—used to help prevent batteries from overheating—but the locals who mine for it get little to nothing for their labor. An article from The New Yorker reports that “children as young as three” and pregnant women were being used to sift through the ore. Cobalt is a heavy metal with radioactive properties that may cause mutations and miscarriages.
While EVs may have some positives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the cost can be deadly for some who may never even get to see an electric car. Always makes sure to do research on the type of vehicle before purchasing.
Looking for
car insurance
? Let Jerry
, the number one car insurance comparison app help you to find the best deals on your insurance policy. View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies