Archive · 25 Jun 2025
Kamath: EVs' Environmental Costs Beyond Cleaner Streets
Nithin Kamath, the co-founder of Zerodha, is asking if electric vehicles (EVs) are really as clean as they seem.
He's worried that making EVs might be hurting the environment in other ways.
He points out that getting the materials for EVs, like nickel from Indonesia and cobalt from Congo, can damage the environment and involve poor labor practices.
Also, China processes many of these minerals using coal, so some EVs might still indirectly use fossil fuels.
Kamath suggests the transition to EVs could simply move pollution from cities to places where materials are mined.
Nithin Kamath, Zerodha co-founder, raised concerns about the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs).
Kamath highlighted environmental damage from nickel mining in Indonesia and cobalt mining in the Congo.
He noted that China dominates EV mineral processing, often using coal.
Kamath questioned if the EV transition shifts pollution to vulnerable ecosystems.
His remarks call for broader awareness of the environmental costs of EV supply chains.
- Who
- Nithin Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha
- What
- Nithin Kamath raised concerns about the environmental and social impact of the EV industry.
- When
- June 2025
- Where
- Indonesia, Congo, and China.
- Why
- To highlight potential environmental and social issues related to the EV industry.
Advocates for EVs
Critics of EV Supply Chains
Environmental Impact
Advocates for EVs
Focus on reducing emissions in cities and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Critics of EV Supply Chains
Highlighting environmental and social issues associated with EV manufacturing.
- Main Subject
- EV Industry and Sustainability
- Source
- Nithin Kamath, Zerodha co-founder
- Nickel Production (Indonesia)
- ~50% of world output
- Cobalt Production (Congo)
- ~70% of world output
- China's Mineral Control
- Dominates processing of key minerals for EVs
