It is obvious, and yet it is not. Electric vehicles use dramatically fewer resources and raw materials than typical fossil fuel cars, and the difference is expected to increase. The comparison between the two frequently centers on energy efficiency, which is highly dependent on the local production of electricity; but, there’s a more obvious comparison. Over the life-cycle of an electric vehicle, about 30 kg of raw materials are consumed in terms of batteries. Over a similar life-cycle, a fossil fuel vehicle will use about 17,000 liters of petroleum products. Every tankful of gas, diesel, whatever weighs a lot, typically ~0.7 kg per liter, ~1.6 pounds per liter, ~6.3 pounds per gallon. The gas in a 10 gallon gas tank weighs ~63 pounds, ~28.5kg. The EV uses ~30kg over its life. The fossil fuel car uses that much every time it fills up. Every kilogram or pound of any raw material creates additional costs in transporting it to where it will be used, which compounds the difference. As battery technologies improve, the use and weight of rare and exotic materials is also expected to decrease. An added bonus for EVs is that the raw materials can be recycled rather than escaping into the atmosphere.
Pretending Not To Panic 
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