Are Electric Vehicles Better for the Environment? EV Battery Mining and Emissions Explained
EVs vs. Gas: What’s the real environmental cost?
Are electric vehicles really better for the environment? It’s a question students often ask—and it doesn’t have a simple answer. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, but the batteries that power them require resource-heavy mining and manufacturing. So, what’s the full picture?
🔎 More Climate and Energy Lessons for Your Classroom
Explore our Climate Education Collection for classroom-ready lessons on renewable energy, fossil fuels, carbon footprints, electric vehicles, and more. These resources are ideal for teaching environmental science, climate literacy, and current events.
In this short video clip from the Share My Lesson webinar How to Launch an Electric Vehicle Training Program in Your School, Mavrick Knoles—president and co-founder of Legacy EV—breaks it down in a clear, classroom-ready way. He explains that while EV battery production comes with environmental costs, electric cars are really better for the environment over time, especially when compared with gas-powered vehicles. He also raises questions about how much range we really need and highlights plug-in hybrids as a more efficient option for everyday use.
This lesson invites students to explore the pros and cons of electric vehicles, investigate EV vs. gas car emissions, and consider how personal choices and policy decisions shape climate solutions.
Why Is It Important to Understand EV Emissions and Environmental Trade-Offs?
- This topic connects science, technology and real-world policy debates.
- It helps students evaluate the trade-offs between innovation and sustainability.
- It’s also a great entry point into media literacy and analyzing how different sources frame environmental issues.
What Is the Environmental Impact of EVs and Battery Mining?
- Battery mining for EVs requires extracting materials like lithium, which can have environmental consequences.
- At the same time, EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, making them cleaner over time.
- There’s a growing conversation about right-sizing batteries and promoting plug-in hybrids with shorter electric ranges.
What’s Next for EV Technology, Plug-In Hybrids and Battery Recycling?
- Automakers and policymakers are working on battery recycling, cleaner mining and better energy efficiency.
- Plug-in hybrids and shorter-range EVs may become more common.
- New technologies and public demand will shape how “green” EVs actually become.
Classroom Discussion: Are Electric Vehicles Better for the Environment?
- Do you think EVs are better for the environment overall? Why or why not?
- What did you learn from Mavrick Knoles’ perspective?
- Should automakers build EVs with smaller batteries? Why might some disagree?
- What are the trade-offs between convenience and sustainability in EV design?
- How might mining practices be improved to reduce environmental harm?
Media Literacy: How Is the EV Debate Covered?
Choose one of these in-class or homework activities:
- Compare Sources. Visit MIT Climate Portal or Union of Concerned Scientists. How do their conclusions compare with what Mavrick Knoles said?
- Headline Analysis. Search for two news stories about EVs or battery mining. What’s different about how each story is told?
- Social Media Check. Find an EV-related post or meme. Who created it? What message is it sending? What facts or context might be missing?
- Below are a couple of examples from both pro- and anti-EV posters. What do you think of these? What else can you find?
🔧 Ready to Bring EV Training to Your School?
Watch our free webinar with Legacy EV to learn how to launch a hands-on electric vehicle training program. Perfect for STEM, CTE, and sustainability pathways. Empower your students with real-world green tech skills.
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Andy Kratochvil is a proud member of the AFT Share My Lesson team, where he’s passionate about discovering and sharing top-tier content with educators across the country. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and French from California State University, Fullerton, and later completed... See More
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