Electric vehicles are attracting a lot of attention. These electric-powered vehicles seem to be the ultimate solution to environmental problems.
Is it possible to make electric cars economically viable? Let’s look at this from a different perspective.
Even if we switch from internal combustion engine-driven cars to electric-driven ones, one problem will remain: our almost-absolute dependence upon foreign countries for fuel.
Many countries rely heavily on the Middle East, USA and Russia for their vehicular fuels. India imports between 84 and 86 percent of the oil and gasoline it consumes.
It also contributes to environmental pollution.
Let’s say that we switch to electric vehicles. This will reduce the use of oil- and gas-based fuels. This would have a positive effect on the environment. To build all types of vehicles, motorbikes and rickshas, as well as buses, we will require an unimaginable amount of Lithium.
Here is the problem!
India does not possess lithium. Only a handful of countries in the world possess lithium. Three countries, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia are home to more than half of the world’s lithium.
And what makes the matters worse for India is that, a majority of the mines across this triangle have already been leased to or bought out by Chinese state-owned businesses.
These countries will be more dependent on us if we move to an electric vehicle. What if there is a problem in our bilateral relations to Bolivia, Argentina Chile, Chile, or China and they decide to restrict or stop the supply of lithium from India? Were we to stop producing vehicles and go back to bullock wagons?
India, like other countries that don’t have Lithium resources in their country, may not be able to move completely to an electric vehicle.
Japan isn’t too excited about electric vehicles. Instead, they channel huge investments in R&D to create hydrogen-powered cars for the future.
Toyota will use hydrogen fuel cells to power approximately 500 vehicles for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Instead of blindly following the elctric train, we should look at other options.