Do electric cars really help the environment? Are they 'green'?

October 3, 10:22 AMBay Area Green Careers ExaminerMichal Lenchner

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Are hybrid and electric vehicle batteries a green alternative or add hazardous chemicals to our landfills? Are all battery components recyclable? While waste management and recycling practices progress, is it possible to rescue every car battery from the landfill?

 Some environmentally conscience people are concerned that hybrid bliss might turn into a toxic chaos, when today's hybrid vehicles batteries are disposed. With the advances in hybrid and electric vehicles (EV), developments of alternative batteries have re-opened the environmental debate about car battery technology.

In early August 2009 President Obama set a goal of 1 million plug-in hybrids on U.S. roads by 2015. The U.S. Department Of Energy (DOE) announced a $2.4 billion in grants to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of electric vehicles, batteries, and components in the U.S., which will create tens of thousands of new jobs.

Grants are allocated to American automobile manufacturers for research, production, education and training of the work force, marketing and sales, as well as battery manufacturing.

 The development of battery technologies comprises manufacturing capacity, electric drive components, and the deployment of electric cars, in an effort to establish American leadership in competitive global markets.
According to environmental researchers, there are many types of batteries, where some are very toxic and others are less: lead acid or nickel cadmium batteries have a harmful impact on the environment.

 As the number of hybrid and electric cars increases on American roads, the controversy expanded into two types of competing battery technologies: lithium ion vs. Ni-Mh batteries.

 Lithium Ion Batteries are a rechargeable battery with a relatively long shelf life, and carry a greater charge-capacity, however it’s costly to manufacturer. Safety is also a concern, as these batteries tend to overheat.

 Nickel-Metal hybrid (Ni-Mh) Batteries are more stable than lithium ion batteries and cost less to make. However, they have a short life span, and produce overall less power capacity. They have been used for years as the most widespread rechargeable batteries at AA, and 9V outputs.

In 2005, the Environmental Defense Fund conducted a research examining the environmental impacts related to the extraction, manufacture, use, and disposal of nickel metal hydride batteries and lithium ion. In comparison to the conventional lead acid batteries, the research concluded that lead was the worst, nickel was next, and lithium was the least harmful.

 While lead recycling is an established industry, it's impossible to rescue every car battery from the landfill. Nickel also poses environmental risks: a probable carcinogen, nickel mining methods, as well as recycling.

So what is going to happen next?

If no other battery technology with effective business applications emerges in the next few years, the future use of Lithium ion batteries is expected to grow as production costs come down. Future advancements in recycling management will improve disposal, and the overall environmental impact will be dependent upon which materials are combined with lithium and how toxic they are.

Crossroad image from green.sympatico.msn.ca    

JOB LEADS

1. Green careers with the Environmental Defense Fund.

2. For jobs with the Department Of Energy, click DOE.

3. Federal, State and Government jobs in California.
To search for Green Jobs use keywords: energy, battery, electric automotive, battery development, software engineering, electric vehicles applications, mechanical engineering, environmental education, environmental training.

Send me your Green career tips, training suggestions or job opening and I will share them.

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