Do electric cars really have a smaller carbon footprint?

Question

Will there not be just as much of a carbon footprint from mining materials to make batteries for all the new electric cars?

And all the precious metals that go into making electronics to make that car operate?

Plus the power generation associated with charging everyone’s vehicle.

It’s my first day, but I’m here to learn something new

In: Other

Answer 1

There have been studies about this. The idea is that it takes about four years worth of carbon dioxide emissions from a traditional gas-powered car to mine the stuff to make one electric vehicle. So the upfront cost is maybe higher, but it pays itself off as long as you keep driving it beyond that four year mark.

Also technology will improve to make batteries more efficient, require fewer resources, etc.