evidence: Their batteries hurt the environment, but EVs still beat gas cars. Here's why [...] With all that's required to mine and process minerals — from giant diesel trucks to fossil-fuel-powered refineries — EV battery production has a significant carbon footprint. As a result, building an electric vehicle does more damage to the climate than building a gas car does. [...] If you look at the climate impact of building and using a vehicle – something called a "lifecycle analysis" – studyafter study has found a clear benefit to EVs. The size of the benefit varies – by vehicle, the source of the electricity it runs on, and a host of other factors – but the overall trend is obvious.