As the Western world is pushed toward an electrified future, electric cars face growing problems that threaten their dominance. At the same time, despite tough environmental policies, diesel and gasoline cars are holding on to their place in society for good reasons.
Scrapping these vehicles in favour of electric cars is premature and a waste of natural resources, especially when the predatory exploitation of battery metals and the lack of effective battery recycling remain unresolved.
The problems with electric cars: range, infrastructure, and costs
Electric vehicles have been marketed as the future solution, but the reality is less glamorous. In cold Western countries such as Sweden and Norway, range is often a major drawback. At sub-zero temperatures, battery capacity can drop by up to 40%, making long journeys a logistical nightmare.
The charging infrastructure is also lagging—charging stations are a rarity in many rural areas, and long charging times and queues cause frustration in cities.
Costs are another stumbling block. An average electric car is significantly more expensive than a diesel or gasoline car, and even though fuel costs are lower, it takes years before the savings offset the purchase price.
Battery replacement, which is often required after 8–10 years, can cost up to $10,000 or more, making ownership financially uncertain. For many households, this is a luxury they cannot afford, especially during economic uncertainty.
Diesel cars: Reliable and efficient
Diesel cars, long demonised by environmental policy, still offer advantages that electric cars cannot match. Modern diesel cars are fuel-efficient and have a significantly longer range than electric cars, often over 1,000 miles on a tank. They are robust and reliable and do not require the extensive infrastructure that electric cars depend on.
For farmers, long-distance commuters, and small business owners, diesel cars are often the only practical choice.
Despite strict emissions regulations, diesel car technology has improved significantly. Advanced filters and catalytic converters have reduced particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions, and many modern diesel cars are considerably cleaner than their predecessors. To dismiss them as environmental villains is to ignore decades of technological development.
Exploitation and recycling problems: the dirty side of electric cars
While environmental policy in the West focuses on phasing out fossil fuels, the dark side of electric cars is often overlooked. The extraction of lithium, cobalt, and nickel—key components in electric car batteries—is characterised by exploitation in the developing world. In countries such as Congo and Bolivia, mining involves child labour, environmental destruction, and devastated communities. Calling electric cars “green” when they are based on such exploitation is deeply misleading.
Battery recycling is another unresolved problem. Only a fraction of used batteries are recycled effectively, which is energy-intensive and expensive. Large quantities of battery waste risk ending up in landfills, where they can leak toxic substances.
Scrapping fully functional diesel and gasoline cars to replace them with electric cars, whose battery production and waste management are problematic, is a huge resource waste.
Wasteful to scrap functional vehicles
Forcing the phase-out of diesel and gasoline cars before the problems with electric cars have been solved is not only unrealistic but also counterproductive. Millions of functioning vehicles risk being scrapped unnecessarily, even though they could be used for many years.
Manufacturing a new electric car also generates a carbon footprint equivalent to several years of driving a diesel car. Therefore, replacing a functioning car with an electric car is often worse for the environment in the short and medium term.
The future: A place for all powertrains
Diesel and gasoline cars still have a clear place in society. They are practical, reliable, and affordable for many people. Instead of demonising them, we should focus on improving their technology and fuels, for example, through synthetic fuels that can further reduce emissions.
At the same time, the problems associated with electric cars—from exploitation to recycling—must be solved before they can be considered a sustainable alternative.
Rushing electrification without addressing these issues is naive and a waste of natural and financial resources. Diesel and gasoline cars are not just necessities today—they are a resource we cannot afford to throw away.
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