This is a topic on which most people will speak in favour. By giving good rational points against EVs, you can differentiate yourself.
1. Limited Range: EVs have a limited range compared to traditional vehicles, which can make long-distance travel more difficult.
2. Charging Infrastructure: The lack of charging infrastructure in some areas can make it difficult to charge EVs, particularly in rural or remote locations.
3. High Initial Cost: EVs are often more expensive than traditional vehicles, which can be a barrier to adoption.
4. Charging Time: The time it takes to fully charge an EV can be longer than refueling a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle, which can be inconvenient for some drivers. [ICE vehicles are petrol/diesel vehicles]
5. Battery Degradation: Over time, the battery in an EV can degrade, which can reduce the vehicle’s range and performance.
6. Battery Recycling: There is currently a lack of infrastructure for recycling EV batteries, which can lead to environmental and health concerns.
7. Lithium Shortages: Lithium prices have already gone up by 4 times due to EVs. And this is when just 2-3% of cars are EVs. Mass adoption seems impossible because Lithium prices will jump to prohibitive levels. There is no way the world can support production of more EVs except by mining more Lithium – more mines will have to be dug up. This is extremely costly and polluting
8. Battery Production: The production of EV batteries can have a significant environmental impact, as it requires the extraction and processing of raw materials, including lithium and cobalt, which can lead to land degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Power Generation: The electricity used to charge EVs is often generated from fossil fuels, which can increase greenhouse gas emissions if the electricity is generated from coal or natural gas. So the so-called environmental benefits do not actually exist. You are just shifting the point of generation
10. Charging Infrastructure: The development of charging infrastructure can lead to environmental impacts, such as deforestation, soil erosion, and the destruction of wildlife habitats.
11. Battery Disposal: The disposal of EV batteries can pose environmental risks, as they contain toxic chemicals that can harm the environment if not properly disposed of.
12. Supply Chain Emissions: The production of components for EVs, such as motors, power electronics, and other components, can also lead to emissions from the manufacturing process and transportation of these components.
13. Fire Hazard: EVs are much more prone to catching fires after a crash than ICE vehicles. Sometimes EVs ignite without a crash. We have seen this happen with Ola Scooters. The fire is also much worse – it takes 40 times more water and around 2 hours to extinguish a fire on an EV. More than 10 full fire trucks are needed to put out a fire on an EV car. Most places don’t have that many trucks available at the local fire station and fire trucks need to be called from nearby fire stations
14. Burden to Governments: Traditional Vehicles contribute positively towards Government Budgets. In India, around 18% revenue of the Central and State Governments comes from fuel taxes – In FY2020-21, around ₹4 Lakh Crores out of the total budget of ₹22 Lakh Crores came from Taxes on Petrol and diesel. This does not even include the high taxes and compensation cess on Vehicles or the registration fees. EVs not only don’t contribute to any of this revenue, they also eat into budgets through subsidies. Around ₹5000 Crores is being allocated for this, which is expected to rise rapidly in the future
