'Myth-busting': Mining the Information?

A 'myth-buster' attempts to calm fear that requirements for the batteries of Electric Vehicles (EVs) will cause too much environmental damage. It's admitted that mineral extraction will rapidly grow, if EVs are to replace petrol and diesel-fuelled cars. EVs do use circa 170 kg more lithium, nickel and copper than petrol alternatives. It's claimed, however, that 80-90% of these metals, unlike the burned fossil fuels, are recyclable. The consequent conclusion is that EVs are a really good alternative. This is especially so, if electricity supplies to fuel them, can be entirely generated without using fossil fuels (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/01/do-electric-cars-have-problem-mining-for-minerals). There are, however, some flaws in the argument. The analysis deliberately ignores the steel and aluminium used in EVs and their petrol/diesel alternatives. Extraction and refining these materials also has environmental costs. Not much steel is currently produced, without burning fossil fuels. The recyclability of the EV's lithium, nickel and copper is far from 100%. The lithium is also the one most likely to require 'topping up' with new material. One could argue that simply replacing petrol and diesel-fuelled cars with EVs, isn't the optimal direction of travel. Obviously, getting rid of most of current 'greenhouse gas' emissions would be a real benefit. It could still, however, cause many folk to newly aspire to have their own individual mode of transport. Building extra new vehicles, would use more steel and aluminium than that required to simply replace current cars. Roads, in many parts of the world, are already very heavily congested. Perhaps, it would be better to put our efforts into electrical and hydrogen-powered public transport? This would reduce the total energy requirement for land-based transport. Reducing the number of people with cars, would also reduce the pressure to join them. There would also be less microplastics release from tyres and braking systems. Just a thought!