Good Intentions, Dry Lake: The Hidden Impact of Electric Vehicles on the Great Salt Lake
By Synnove Price-Huish, Community Environment and Planning & Law, Society, and Justice ‘26
Great Salt Lake, Stanbury Island. Photo by Johnny Adolphson for Encyclopedia Britannica.
Although many might only picture the salty liquid found in pickle jars, brine extends far beyond culinary use. Brine is used to source lithium, a popular mineral, especially in the manufacturing of electric cars. The number of Electric Cars (EV’s) on the road in the United States grew dramatically from 22,000 to over 2 million in just 10 years (2011-2021). As environmental concerns continue to mount over greenhouse gases contributing to climate change, it is no surprise that many Americans are prioritizing products that reduce their carbon footprint. Despite the benefits of EVs, the production of these vehicles wreaks environmental havoc right here in the U.S. An average EV battery contains 3 to 5 kg of lithium, and 1 kg of lithium uses around 2,000 litres of water. Currently, around 800 square miles of the Great Salt Lake sit dry and exposed. This tremendous body of water is currently predicted to continue drying up and eventually disappear as lithium mining from this lake is hastening this process.
The market need for lithium is rapidly increasing with no signs of stopping. From 2017 to 2021, the demand for this mineral doubled, with an annual output range between 25% and 35%. The high lithium deposits in the Great Salt Lakes have been seen as a great opportunity to boost economic prosperity and put Utah at the forefront of the growing demand for eco-friendly technology. However, this excitement is curbed when one considers the environmental impact of the extraction process.
Brine evaporation is one of the two main ways of extracting lithium. Brine is a water-based salt solution typically found in salty bodies of water, such as the ocean, and in this instance, in the Great Salt Lake. The extraction process involves pumping brine from the Great Salt Lake into ponds, where it naturally evaporates. Once the evaporation process is complete, rich salts are left behind that are then processed to extract minerals. In the past 30 years, this process of mineral extraction has depleted the water in the Great Salt Lake by 8.0%.
Conventional brine disposal. Photo by Celi Khanyile-Lynch and Jake Dreyfous.
If nothing is done, the Great Salt Lake will disappear, wreaking havoc across the West. Currently, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, antelope, bison, and 339 species of birds rely on the wetlands of this lake to survive. The ecological ramifications of losing or degrading this habitat would not only be detrimental but could be irreparable. Additionally, the greater Salt Lake area typically experiences strong winds. If the lake were to dry, there is a heightened risk of harmful chemicals, such as arsenic, being exposed to residents and wildlife.
However, the news is not completely grim as there may still be ways to address the challenges facing this great lake. In recent years, state leaders have been advocating for measures that would create and enforce containment efforts on the industries with the highest impact on the water levels. Additionally, new ways of extracting lithium that minimize their footprint are being explored. MIT Technology Review highlights Lilac Solutions, a startup dedicated to commercializing direct lithium extraction (DLE), which would reduce environmental damage.
Currently, the Great Salt Lake needs to rise another five feet to meet the minimum criteria for a healthy elevation. It is important to acknowledge that addressing the mineral extraction industry is not the sole solution. However, to avoid a crisis of this nature, a multitude of interventions are required.
As eco-friendly technologies continue to grow in priority, so will the need for lithium. While these technologies are intended to provide sustainable alternatives, there are trade-offs, such as the environmental impacts associated with the extraction process. As society shifts towards sustainable products, the methods used to source and produce these products must align with the same sustainability principles they are hoping to support.