How environmentally friendly are electric cars? The relationship between lithium usage and water resources, Chile example

Abstract

The extraction of minerals such as lithium, widely used in the battery technologies of electric vehicles, is a process that necessitates consideration of its environmental impacts. This study aims to examine the environmental impacts of electric vehicles and the effects of lithium mining on water resources, particularly in regions abundant in lithium reserves like Chile. The analyses indicate a long-term relationship between lithium mining and irrigation water sources. This study establishes a foundation for understanding the relationship between the environmental sustainability of electric vehicles and the environmental impacts of lithium mining.