Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential environmental impact of overproducing electric vehicles (EVs), suggesting that it may lead to increased pollution, particularly in emerging markets like China and India [2][6]. Group 1: Electric Vehicles and Pollution - A report predicts that by 2030, sulfur dioxide emissions in China will increase by 79% and in India by 19% if EV production is ramped up, compared to a scenario where production remains stable [6]. - The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the annual sales of EVs need to increase to 70 million by 2030, which is seven times the sales in 2022 [6]. - The production of EV batteries, particularly those using nickel, may lead to higher sulfur dioxide emissions, despite EVs not emitting these pollutants during operation [6][9]. Group 2: Historical Context of Pollution - Historical examples of pollution caused by industrial innovations include the London Smog in 1952 and Minamata disease in Japan, highlighting the long-standing issue of environmental damage linked to technological advancements [7]. - The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide can worsen asthma and lead to cardiovascular diseases [7]. Group 3: Broader Technological Impacts - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies also poses environmental challenges, as data centers require significant electricity, which can lead to nitrogen oxide emissions if powered by fossil fuels [8]. - Research shows that the development of high-performance AI models can generate substantial air pollutants, with one study estimating that the development of Meta's Llama 3.1 model produced 1.5 tons of PM2.5 and 13.5 tons of nitrogen oxides [9].