Impact of Electric Vehicles on the Environment: Pros and Cons

Ural State University of Economics, Ekaterinburg, Russia

^* Corresponding author: lakapustina@bk.ru

Abstract

The article deals with the Sustainable Development Goals on the environmental sustainability of cities and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in relation to the use of electric vehicles. The dynamics of the global fleet of electric vehicles, demand and prices for lithium-ion batteries are analyzed. The research goal is to compare the positive and negative consequences of the production and use of electric vehicles for the environment. The research is based on the theory of stakeholders. The automakers, suppliers of raw materials for the production of electric vehicles, households, car carriers of passengers and cargo, the state, administrations of cities and settlements are the main stakeholders of the electric vehicles market. The article highlights the arguments «pros and cons» electric vehicles from the perspective of sustainable development and stakeholders. It has been established that it is premature to draw a conclusion about the complete environmental and climate neutrality of electric vehicles. The technological problem of safe storage, recycling and elimination of lithium-ion batteries needs to be solved. The improvement of batteries and the reduction of the carbon footprint in their production and disposal is the most important factor in the greening of electric vehicles.