The future of EVs? Maybe not so bad?

I worked in a battery recycling plant for years (Inmetco). We mainly focused on Ni-Cad batteries and extracted the nickel to make stainless steel but then got into recycling cadmium too. We had several fires and explosions and were fined by the DEP several times. There were many trying to get it shut down due to the environmental concerns. I'm quite sure that as EV's become more popular we will be fighting that battle with political groups.
 
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From an article I read...

We keep hearing that EVs are the answer. Electric vehicles will reduce tailpipe emissions, but they won’t solve any of the aforementioned problems — and indeed, they create many of their own. To name just one: Tire wear. It happens no matter what powers a vehicle, and it’s exacerbated by heavier machines. Right now, EVs are massive: the all-electric 6,500-pound Ford F-150 Lightning is 1,000 pounds heavier than its internal-combustion twin. The friction of tires on pavement creates microplastic particles and chemical runoff that pollute oceans, kill salmon and are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in humans. It is true that EVs are a necessary part of the fight against climate change, but electric cars are not “good” for the environment — they are only slightly less bad.
 
From an article I read...

We keep hearing that EVs are the answer. Electric vehicles will reduce tailpipe emissions, but they won’t solve any of the aforementioned problems — and indeed, they create many of their own. To name just one: Tire wear. It happens no matter what powers a vehicle, and it’s exacerbated by heavier machines. Right now, EVs are massive: the all-electric 6,500-pound Ford F-150 Lightning is 1,000 pounds heavier than its internal-combustion twin. The friction of tires on pavement creates microplastic particles and chemical runoff that pollute oceans, kill salmon and are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in humans. It is true that EVs are a necessary part of the fight against climate change, but electric cars are not “good” for the environment — they are only slightly less bad.
Not to mention all that extra weight damages the roads.
 
This data matches with data from another group that I posted previously. It’s accurate.

now what I don’t agree with in that article is that it implies that gas cars catch fires more often just due to gas. I bet at least a 1/3rd of gas cars catch fire due to the 12v electrical system.
 
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This data matches with data from another group that I posted previously. It’s accurate.

That same “study” is all over the place, I do not trust studies with agenda.

That said, a better comparison would be to compare by year and cost. I very much doubt that comparable Mercedes and BMW ICV catch fire at the rate you of Teslas. That data likely has 30 year old unmaintained vehicles in it…
 
Just to add...my son had a 2018 2500 Ram with a 6.4 gas engine (7200lbs empty). Tires lasted him at least 40,000 miles, one set over 50,000. He now has a 2021 2500 Ram Cummins diesel (about 8000lbs empty). He has 12,500 miles on it and his front tires were down to about 25%. Yes he rotated them at 5000 then just rotated them again at 12,000. Hard to believe that 800 extra pounds on the front end did that. And yes the tires were the same on both trucks. 20" Firestone whatever they are from the factory...lol. So with the heavier vehicle figure to go through tires at least twice as fast and at $1500 a set for his truck that will add up quick.
 
I’m getting ready to flip 50k on my EV and it’s just now needing tires. Yes they are heavier, certainly more friction but it’s the tires you put on which get you the mileage vs performance. That’s nothing new
 
Ca. has rich deposits of Lithium around the Salton Sea area which is east of San Diego; in the middle of nowhere. Lithium as well as Cobalt and Nickel are minerals necessary for these EV batteries. There are several companies that are planning to extract the mineral around the Salton Sea. Ca now is considering a unique tax on the lithium mining that is planned. Kinda alludes that this EV movement isn't all about the environment...
 
That same “study” is all over the place, I do not trust studies with agenda.

That said, a better comparison would be to compare by year and cost. I very much doubt that comparable Mercedes and BMW ICV catch fire at the rate you of Teslas. That data likely has 30 year old unmaintained vehicles in it…


You should always be skeptical of studies. No argument there.
Why would an insurance company have an agenda towards EV cars? There is both a government study and an insurance study that reflects similar data.

You have an e-class right?
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/05/business/mercedes-fire-risk/index.html

Most 30 yr old cars are retired.
 
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I’m getting ready to flip 50k on my EV and it’s just now needing tires. Yes they are heavier, certainly more friction but it’s the tires you put on which get you the mileage vs performance. That’s nothing new
Back when I used to race ICE cars and drove to the events on r-comps, I would be lucky to get 3000 miles out of a set of tires. If I didn’t drive to the events and just ran the tires t the track, I might get 300 miles out of them.
 
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Just to add...my son had a 2018 2500 Ram with a 6.4 gas engine (7200lbs empty). Tires lasted him at least 40,000 miles, one set over 50,000. He now has a 2021 2500 Ram Cummins diesel (about 8000lbs empty). He has 12,500 miles on it and his front tires were down to about 25%. Yes he rotated them at 5000 then just rotated them again at 12,000. Hard to believe that 800 extra pounds on the front end did that. And yes the tires were the same on both trucks. 20" Firestone whatever they are from the factory...lol. So with the heavier vehicle figure to go through tires at least twice as fast and at $1500 a set for his truck that will add up quick.
Your son might want to have his suspension and alignment checked, that’s definitely not normal.
 
Your son might want to have his suspension and alignment checked, that’s definitely not normal.
I would bet that either the tire manufacturer or dodge cost reduced that specific model of tire. My Chevrolet came with a set of Goodyears that were specifically spec’d by GM. They are lighter and a little less durable than the same model of tire purchased from a tire store.
 
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I would bet that either the tire manufacturer or dodge cost reduced that specific model of tire. My Chevrolet came with a set of Goodyears that were specifically spec’d by GM. They are lighter and a little less durable than the same model of tire purchased from a tire store.
All 3 trucks (mine, his old one and his current one) all had the tires that came from the factory. I have the same tires on my 2018 2500 gasser and have 26,000 miles on it and tires are at maybe 30% left. His fronts were worse at 12,000 than any of my 4 and his were on the back for the last 7000 or so miles. But he is getting an alignment done soon as his truck was hit by an excavator last week and flattened the one tire, which is why he noticed how low the tread actually was and is getting an alignment as part of the repair.
 
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If really down to 25% at 12 k miles, those are done at 16,000.
Something’s wrong, and it’s not just crumby tires. I have 16,000 on my truck right now and have more weight on the steer axle than he does and the tires are like new.
 
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