Waste not these electric dreams

Waste not these electric dreams | Daily Tribune

Who would have thought Philippine roads would be filled with electric vehicles (EVs) in just a few years. It is no longer surprising to see EV cars on EDSA, whether sedans or SUVs. The sight of the futuristic Tesla cybertruck still evokes a “Wow!” from the average Juan as well as triggers quick attempts to get a few selfies in the process.

As an advocate of carbon emission reduction and clean energy, the shift in consumer preference for EVs is a positive development. Depending on the variant, the reduced direct carbon emissions from EVs contribute to the global efforts to manage climate change. The government also supports the shift to EVs by granting tax exemptions for pure EVs and a reduced tax rate for hybrid EVs.

EVs are some of the most advanced vehicles available, and some carry enough technology to keep the driver and passengers safer than ever before. They are quiet and offer equal if not a better performance than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Progressive real estate developers are now incorporating charging stations in their projects to service these future mobility vehicles. It also does not hurt that they look very cool.

However, like any consumer choice, there is a potential trade-off with EVs. Unlike ICE cars, the secondary market for EVs is uncertain, at least for the moment.

As an example, even today, you can still find a Mercedes-Benz model W123 on the road despite having been produced 40-50 years ago. If properly maintained and with the availability of new and surplus parts, it will likely remain operational for another 10-20 years. Many classic cars were built to last.

It will be hard to say the same thing about newer cars and EVs. The biggest cost of an EV is the battery, which has a finite life.

EV batteries have a calendar life and a cycle life, which basically measure the time to its reduced performance and end of life. If the EV is sold in the secondary market, these factors would be the primary consideration for buyers when evaluating the price relative to replacing the battery. In other words, it is the condition of the battery and the cost of replacement that determines the economics.

What we want from responsible consumption and production is the ability to recycle, reuse, reduce, and repurpose. Batteries can be recycled, but this may not yet be available in the Philippines due to the advanced technology required. An investment in this capability is necessary from both economic and sustainability perspectives.

What we want to avoid is a situation where EVs become like old smartphones and contribute to e-waste. In some corner of every person’s room, there is likely to be a box of old mobile phones/smartphones that are no longer used and have zero resale value.

The government and the private sector must prepare for an environment where EVs become the primary vehicle of choice over the next 5-10 years, and secure investments in technology to manufacture or recycle EV batteries.

To ensure continued trust and preference to shift to EVs, we need to build the necessary infrastructure and invest in maintenance training for these new mechanical creatures. We still have time to do this but as the point we make on EVs, let us not waste the time we have.