Charging Ahead: Ethical Engineering in Electric Vehicles

In this episode of Viterbi Conversations in Ethics, hosts Brennen Rudd, a computational biology graduate student, and Aryan Shah, a data science graduate, explore the ethical dimensions of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Featuring Fred Pan, an engineering student and author of the paper "The Dark Side of the Bright EV Future," the discussion delves into the complex ethical considerations surrounding EVs. The conversation addresses issues such as the human rights and environmental impacts of mining critical minerals like cobalt and lithium, the role of engineers in ethical product development, and policy changes needed for a more ethical supply chain. The episode aims to uncover the nuanced realities of the EV industry, propose ethical solutions, and discuss the future challenges and innovations that could drive a more sustainable and ethical future for electric vehicles.