Chinese will corner market

Sir - The letter from Archibald Lawrie (August 14) was the best I have seen on the folly of electric cars.

He mentions the rare earth metals that are necessary in batteries.

These elements, essential to advanced technology, from smartphones to GPS receivers, are also needed for wind turbines.

These rare earth metals are predominately mined in China.

China accounts for 97% of global output of these precious substances, with two-thirds produced in its Baotou region. Processing them has caused pollution in the lake there, fouling its waters which now contain toxic chemicals and radioactive sludge.

These caused epidemic health problems.

So all those who purchase electric cars to be green are in effect destroying lives in the Baotou region.

Environmentalists rejoiced when Volvo announced that in two years’ time it would only produce electric cars.

A Chinese company, Zhejiang Geely Holdings, owns Volvo.

So Volvo will be first in line for the rare earth metals and prices will escalate for everyone else.

Andrew Collins says that electric cars will become cheaper than fossil-fuel cars.

I suspect he has been looking into his green crystal ball for too long.

Electric cars are not green and are an expensive buy. Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.