The amount of times I’ve seen people state, with anger, that EV batteries are built with lithium mined by children in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo is quite staggering.  These people frequently blame the abuses of these children completely on the EV industry.

The mines pictured in these arguments are, usually, not the mines linked with minerals for EVs at all, but simply mines that the creator has selected to push their agenda.  That is however, largely irrelevant.

Lithium

The mineral lithium is the most significant one used in the production of batteries for EVs.  The biggest source for lithium in the world is Australia, not Africa.

There is an abundant supply of lithium, from Australia, Chile and China.  A significant proportion of the lithium is not mined, but instead is distilled or evaporated from brine water.  It is a lengthy process, but involves absolutely no child labour.

The vast majority of the lithium, mined or evaporated, is actually not used in EV batteries, but in mobile phones, tablets and computers.  In other words, almost without exception, those complaining about lithium mining are doing so on a device that requires lithium.

Cobalt

Another mineral that causes much consternation in anti-EV circles is cobalt.

There are valid concerns about cobalt mining in certain regions, most notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  However, as referred to in the text above, the vast majority of the cobalt mined actually goes into mobile phones, tablets and computers.

If you’re going to complain about the minerals being used in EVs, it would be hypocritical not to complain equally about their use in other electronic devices.

Change is coming

The EV industry, perhaps because of the criticism, has been active in trying to improve the ethical sourcing of minerals, driving change.

Moreover, these companies are beginning to move away from the use of cobalt.  Tesla are actively reducing the level of cobalt used and there are other battery technologies that look to use no cobalt at all.