https://www.wsj.com/graphics/are-electric-cars-really-better-for-the-environment/

Here's a great comparison of Electric Vehicle (EV) vs a Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).  It might surprise you that -

Building both a Tesla Model 3 and a Toyota RAV4 generates several tons of greenhouse gas emissions to smelt the aluminum, manufacture the components and assemble the vehicle. But building a Tesla actually generates more emissions because of the metals needed for its lithium-ion battery. Before it rolls off the assembly line, the Tesla has generated 65% more emissions than the RAV4.

Remember that electric power generation is currently the largest generator worldwide of greenhouse gas emissions creating 25% of all the total greenhouse gases.  How do EVs help this?

Is Gaston County and its citizens really going to benefit from a lithium mine strip mine or is this simply creating another environmental issue while trying to solve another issue?