Challenges Facing the Circular Economy That Aims to Improve Electric Vehicle Sector Sustainability

  • Focus Area Future of Transport and Fuel Demand Future of Transport and Fuel Demand
  • Type Commentary
  • Date 13 June 2023
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Abstract

Governments around the world are increasingly focusing on the future of transportation, particularly road transportation, to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. As the shift to low-carbon transportation continues, the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to rise, with several associated challenges. The growing demand for EVs will also increase the demand for the critical mineral resources required to manufacture them. Many EV motor technologies require rare-earth magnets, whereas batteries require raw elements such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. Mining such minerals raises several environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, including environmental degradation, exploitation of child labor and human health risks. Furthermore, these critical raw materials are hampered by supply chain problems and price volatility.

Authors

Rubal Dua

Rubal Dua

Fellow Rubal is a research fellow at KAPSARC focused on understanding consumer decision making, in particular, consumer choice of energy-efficient technologies… Rubal is a research fellow at KAPSARC focused on understanding consumer decision making, in particular, consumer choice of energy-efficient technologies and mobility options under alternative technology and policy scenarios. Before joining KAPSARC, Rubal gained a Ph.D. at KAUST designing advanced carbon materials for energy and environmental applications, with a particular focus on energy storage, carbon capture, waste-water treatment, and hydrogen generation via solar water splitting. Prior to that, he worked at the University of Pennsylvania on a semiconductor industry-funded project, developing a continuum modeling framework for simulating the physics of micro defect formation in silicon crystals.

Expertise

  • Behavorial decision science
  • Consumer adoption
  • Energy-efficient mobility and shared autonomous mobility-on-demand

Publications See all Rubal Dua’s publications

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