EV batteries have an environmental impact, but are getting greener

Modern electric vehicles (EVs) require lithium-ion batteries, unlike the traditional milk-float, once a familiar sight on our streets, which relied on bulky lead-acid batteries and which proceeded at walking pace. Good Energy's blog reports that L-ion batteries:

are manufactured using rare earth metals and minerals like cobalt, which is mined inoverexploited countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Battery manufacturers are currently developing batteries that require fewer resources, but there’s no denying that they do carry an ethical cost – just like other goods such as clothes and electronics. 

[As with other products] you can research electric car manufacturers using resources such as Ethical Consumer, to find out whether they have policies to reduce environmental impact and protect workers’ rights and welfare. You could also research getting a second-hand EV.  

Almost all of an EV can be recycled – including the battery 

EV batteries degrade over time – however, most will keep at least 70% of their capacity even after 200,000km. This means that drivers shouldn’t unduly worry about the battery degrading over the time they have their car, unless they have an exceptionally high mileage. 

Most manufacturers recommend replacing a battery once it drops to 70% of its capacity. As that means they still have plenty of life left, recycling options include manufacturers converting them into home batteries for storing electricity generated by solar panels.  

Because EV usage is only just accelerating, manufacturers expect that in 10-15
years time there will be millions of degraded batteries to deal with. Currently, less
than 5% of EV batteries are recycled. But it’s expected that recycling facilities will
expand over the next decade, with EV manufacturers taking responsibility for
reusing or recycling batteries from their own models. For example, Nissan is
already using them to power automated vehicles in their factories.