Key points about the problem of abandoned electric vehicles in China
- The problem is caused by the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market in China, as well as the government’s subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles.
- The older models of electric vehicles are becoming obsolete and are often abandoned.
- These abandoned vehicles can pollute the environment and pose a safety hazard.
- There are a few things can be done to address this problem, such as recycling and disposal, improved battery technology, government incentives, and adequate charging infrastructure.
Outdated electric cars in China are accumulating in automotive graveyards as people upgrade to more efficient and reliable modern EVs.
Automotive graveyards
These older EVs, which initially saturated the market, have ended up piling up in graveyards across several cities due to their limited features and short driving range (100 miles). The dire conditions of these abandoned EVs include plants growing from engine bays and thick vegetation engulfing the vehicles.
Abandoned
While the exact number of cars isn’t specified in the report, one field alone is said to contain over 200 EVs, and another graveyard reportedly holds around 1000 outdated EVs.
Geely, a notable Chinese automaker, has stated some of these EVs will be stored until mid-August, after which road-worthy models will be repurposed and put into service in different cities across China.
This situation underscores the rapid technological advancements in the electric vehicle industry and the challenges of managing outdated technology and waste in a sustainable manner.
Some of the possible solutions to the problem of abandoned electric vehicles:
- Recycling and disposal: Electric vehicles contain valuable materials, such as lithium and cobalt, can be recycled. This would help to reduce the environmental impact of these vehicles.
- Improved battery technology: Longer-lasting batteries would mean electric vehicles would need to be replaced less often. This would help to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles.
- Government incentives: Governments can provide incentives for people to trade in their old electric vehicles for newer models. It will make sure to clear the market of obsolete vehicles.
- Charging infrastructure: Adequate charging infrastructure is essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. If there are not enough places to charge electric vehicles, people will be less likely to buy them.
