The 2025 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo included a “supercharged” SOT/EUROTOX session that debated whether electric vehicles (EVs) are bad for the environment. The English word “debate” comes from Latin dis- (meaning in different directions) and Latin battuere (meaning to fight). To their credit, debaters Michael Aschner (representing SOT and the negative side) and Ulf Olofsson (representing EUROTOX and the affirmative side) each threw some oratorial punches that fueled their respective points of view. Dr. Aschner began the debate by describing some sobering statistics relating to the environmental toll of EVs:
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EVs are heavier than cars powered by gasoline, and this heavier weight results in excessive tire wear and release of the tire additive 6-PPD. When reacted with ozone, 6-PPD creates 6PPD-quinone, which is lethal to fish such as coho salmon, brook trout, and rainbow trout.
Dr. Olofsson did his best to repair the salvos that were expertly launched by Dr. Aschner by pointing out that internal combustion engines and brake pads emit harmful particles and contribute to air pollution. Dr. Olofsson also countered that many of the criticisms associated with EVs, such as premature road and tire wear, could be addressed by mandating use of smaller (and lighter) EVs and banning heavier EV trucks.
Each debater was given one rebuttal; however, Dr. Aschner’s arguments against EVs seemed to pack a punch compared to Dr. Olofsson’s arguments. Dr. Aschner reminded audience members that Dr. Olofsson’s arguments against internal combustion engines discounted the heavy life cycle impacts of EVs and did not take into consideration improved environmental performance of present-day internal combustion engines. Furthermore, Dr. Aschner pointed out that only 5% of lithium batteries in EVs are recycled.
Audience members were asked to select a debate winner by clapping for their favored side of the argument, and based the overall noise level that seemed to be split evenly between the two sides, debate Chair James Luyendyk called the debate a tie.
The Greek philosopher Sophocles, who greatly valued contrasting viewpoints and dialogue, said that “it is better to change an opinion than to persist in a wrong one.” True to Sophocles’s observation, the EV debate will take place again at the EUROTOX meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025, in Greece with debaters taking reverse positions, leaving it to Dr. Aschner and Dr. Olofsson to persuade EUROTOX attendees to support or oppose this electrifying topic!
This blog reports on the Featured Session titled “SOT/EUROTOX Debate: Are Electric Vehicles Actually Bad for the Environment?” that was held during the 2025 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. An on-demand recording of this session is available for meeting registrants on the SOT Online Planner and SOT Event App.
This blog was prepared by an SOT Reporter and represents the views of the author. SOT Reporters are SOT members who volunteer to write about sessions and events in which they participate during the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. SOT does not propose or endorse any position by posting this article. If you are interested in participating in the SOT Reporter program in the future, please email SOT Headquarters.
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