Introduction:
Electric vehicles (EVs) promise a cleaner future, but nickel mining’s dark side—spotlighted in Liam Bartlett’s Electric Vehicle Con—raises real concerns. Yet, his critique leans on selective facts to stall progress, ignoring solutions already in play. Here’s the truth—and a smarter way forward.
Indonesia’s Nickel Dominance: A Costly Trade-Off
Indonesia, currently producing about 60% of the world’s nickel and projected to supply up to 70% by 2028, drives deforestation in biodiversity hotspots like Raja Ampat and pollutes coastal communities, while displacing Indigenous groups. Harsh labor conditions persist at industrial parks like Morowali. These issues are serious, but Bartlett’s framing ignores context and existing alternatives.
The Missing Truth: Battery Chemistry Matters
Not all EVs use nickel. Battery chemistry matters:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries contain no nickel or cobalt.
- All BYD vehicles, and a growing number of Teslas and other Chinese EVs, use LFP.
- Over 80% of EVs in China are now LFP-based.
In contrast, most Western EVs—Ford, GM, VW, Toyota—still rely on nickel-heavy batteries (NCM/NCA). Ironically, environmentally conscious buyers should avoid Western EVs if they want to avoid nickel from Indonesia.
LFP isn’t perfect—its energy density is lower, meaning slightly shorter range—but its ethical and cost advantages far outweigh the trade-offs for most drivers. Critics note China’s dominance in LFP production could pose supply chain risks, but diversification efforts are underway.
EVs vs ICE: Historical Perspective and Ongoing Harm
The harm caused by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is far worse:
- Lead in petrol, used from 1923 to the early 2000s, is linked to over 100 million premature deaths.
- Oil extraction has devastated ecosystems and communities from the Niger Delta to Alberta.
- 4.2 million people die each year from air pollution caused by fossil fuel combustion (WHO).
Calling EV owners “green hypocrites” while ignoring this history conveniently sidesteps a century of destruction.
The LFP Solution: Cleaner, Cheaper, and Here Now
LFP batteries are the ethical off-ramp from nickel exploitation:
- No nickel or cobalt
- Lower fire risk
- Cheaper to manufacture and longer lasting
- Dominantly produced in China—where EV tech now leads globally
Tesla’s Model 3 RWD, BYD’s Dolphin, and the MG4 use LFP. CATL’s Shenxing battery charges to 400 km range in 10 minutes. Sodium-ion and solid-state innovations are on the horizon, adding further momentum.
Global ESG Standards Are Urgently Needed
We need global ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance across all EV supply chains:
- Traceability and transparency to prevent greenwashing.
- Cross-border regulations to prevent one region’s progress from enabling another’s exploitation.
- Corporate accountability enforced through third-party audits.
Nickel recycling and closed-loop battery systems can also play a major role in cleaning up the industry.
The Real Con: Misinformation Fueled by Fossil Interests
The Spotlight episode also exposed Bartlett’s underlying bias. In a widely circulated moment, he cornered Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen during a public appearance. EV advocate Sam Evans—who stepped in to challenge Bartlett—was dismissed by Bartlett as an “EV zealot,” a term revealing more about Bartlett’s own agenda than Evans’. Strikingly, the episode made no mention of Bartlett’s three-year tenure with Shell, a global oil giant, which casts serious doubt on his impartiality when critiquing the electric transition.
Much of the recent anti-EV narrative is pushed or amplified by legacy players:
- Big Oil and automakers like Toyota and VW benefit from slowing the shift.
- FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) campaigns use partial truths to preserve the status quo.
Bartlett critiques symptoms, not cures—sidestepping who profits from stalling the shift.
Debunking the FUD: Environmental Myths About EVs
Bartlett’s “EV Con” fuels myths like “EVs pollute more”—here’s the truth, backed by The Little Book of EV Myths:
- “EVs pollute more than ICE cars”: Lifecycle studies prove EVs emit far less than ICE cars—even on fossil-heavy grids.
- “EV battery mining is just as bad as oil”: Battery minerals are recyclable and used once, while oil is burned continuously, causing lasting environmental damage.
- “EV batteries don’t last”: Most EV batteries retain 80%+ of capacity after 300,000 km. LFP batteries often surpass 500,000 km with minimal degradation.
- “Hydrogen is the real solution”: Hydrogen fuel cell cars are far less energy-efficient and more costly than battery-electric alternatives.
- “EVs are a political statement”: Clean air and sustainability transcend politics. Fossil fuel interests are behind much of the anti-EV rhetoric.
For more evidence-based myth-busting, read The Little Book of EV Myths.
A Roadmap for Responsible Electrification
- Choose LFP-based EVs or models using ethical chemistries.
- Demand supply chain transparency from automakers.
- Support ESG regulations and battery recycling initiatives.
- Share facts to counter anti-EV myths and educate others.
Conclusion: No Compromise on Ethics
As Bertrand Russell once advised, “When you are studying any matter or considering any philosophy, ask yourself only what are the facts and what is the truth that the facts bear out.”
We can’t build a sustainable future by clinging to a destructive past. The EV transition must be ethical—but that doesn’t mean halting progress. It means choosing smarter tech like LFP, pushing for recycling, and demanding accountability.
The real con? Fossil fuels, not EVs, were never clean. So, what’s your next move: demand better batteries or stick with the past?
#ChooseLFP #EVsWithoutExploitation