At the start of the month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Ottawa will invest over $200 million into a Quebec mining company that will help to increase the production of minerals used in electric cars and batteries such as lithium, titanium and scandium. This investment, as a part of the “Strategic Innovation Fund,” is a part of a plan to make Canada the “global supplier of choice” for these critical minerals that power what some have come to view as the future of transportation: electric vehicles.
Over the summer, Trudeau remarked that his vision for Canada is that we aren’t “just going to be a global player in EVs,” but that we will become global leaders. And really, who could blame them for being such a big supporter? Canada has an estimated 2.9 million tonnes of lithium resources, and mining operations at home would create jobs, increase our GDP, and make EVs more accessible for all.
Unfortunately, it isn’t nearly as clean cut as some believe. Lithium for example is a non-renewable resource itself, and it’s expensive and difficult to recycle. It’s also worth mentioning that reports in the last few years have found that EVs are some of the most unreliable vehicles on the market, and can be twice as expensive to repair when they break down. They’re also still out of reach for many Canadians; the actual cost of purchasing an EV seems to only be going up, not down as originally predicted.
Personally, I find there is a lot of parallels between the the EV conversation and what is going on with sustainable fashion right now; while there are many ways to reduce the impact your clothes or your car have on the environment, too many of us seem to get stuck at the “purchasing expensive, new, sustainable alternatives from companies that use all the right buzzwords” step. “Keeping and using up what you already have” and “purchasing second hand” don’t have nearly the same appeal. But this mindset ignores not only the amount of misinformation that often comes along with these “sustainable” brands, it also leaves out those who cannot afford to spend $70k on a new car or $200 on a sustainably-made turtleneck sweater.
The difference is, the tide seems to be turning on sustainable fashion; thrifting has become more mainstream (although that topic has its own issues) and it feels like people are realizing that new is not always better. As somebody who has only ever had second-hand cars — ones that were usually older than I was — I feel like I might be able to make a case for why it’s time that our attitudes about greener transportation get the same treatment as the thrifting revolution.
Researchers have found that keeping older fuel efficient cars on the road longer reduces emissions significantly more than ramping up the manufacturing process needed to supply everyone with EVs would. In fact, a study conducted at a Japanese university found that keeping your car for just ten per cent longer means a drop in emissions.
“But Kait,” I can hear you saying. “What about fuel mileage? Doesn’t that count for something?” It does! But contrary to popular belief, there are many cars from the 1990s that continue to clock better fuel mileage than many modern cars. The idea that all old cars are gas-guzzlers may have been true 30 years ago, but unless you’ve got your eye on a ‘73 Lincoln Continental, you’re likely okay.
Another point, old cars are usually more affordable and easier to repair; the right to repair is something that is quickly becoming a contentious issue in Canada, as car manufacturers come out with newer models that use complex tech systems to lock out mechanics and consumers alike from being able to complete basic repairs. The environmental implications of a system that requires everyone to rely on only a handful of manufacturer-certified service locations are hard to ignore, especially in a country as spread-out as Canada.
Ironically, this power struggle was only intensified at the onset of the chip shortage, a global supply chain disruption made worse by climate change-related disasters in Texas and Taiwan. This shortage could continue for years. In the meantime, the market for used cars has continued to strengthen.
I’m not trying to say that nobody should purchase an EV or a hybrid. If you can comfortably afford it, it might be the best way to reduce your CO2 emissions. But I think that there needs to be room for nuance and flexible thinking when we talk about fighting climate change. Options beyond just getting hooked on a different non-renewable resource are worth our consideration. The sentiment that is kicked around often among climate activists is that electric cars are truly here to save the automotive industry, not the planet. Finding ways that everyone from all backgrounds can contribute is critical, so long as the goal is truly to help the environment.
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