On Thursday (23rd), the U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to reject the proposal to ban fuel cars in California, putting an end to the state’s mandate for electric vehicles to be enforced nationwide. This intense showdown on energy policy and environmental ideals has once again surfaced.
Amidst this, a widely-discussed documentary, “Uncovering Electric Cars,” is set to premiere on the Clean World GJW+ platform, making this piece hosted by well-known commentator Larry Elder an instant focal point in the U.S. media and policy circles.
The backdrop of this political struggle is California’s long-standing role as a leader in U.S. clean energy policy, often setting emissions standards stricter than federal regulations. The rejected exemption would have allowed California to enforce a mandate to ban fuel cars by 2035 without federal restrictions.
The Senate’s rejection not only challenges local autonomy but also symbolizes collective doubts about the “electric future.”
Earlier, on May 2nd, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a proposal by 246-164 votes to cancel the previous government’s exemption for California to ban pure fuel cars by 2035, allowing new car buyers to choose for themselves.
The text has already been sent to the White House and is expected to be signed into law by President Trump. Since returning to the political scene, Trump has abandoned the goal set by the previous administration under Biden to have 50% electric cars sold in the U.S. by 2030.
Since February, the U.S. Department of Transportation has suspended plans to fund electric vehicle charging station construction, prompting California and 16 other states to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration in early May.
“Uncovering Electric Cars” will let you see the truth about electric cars! It will premiere globally on Clean World GJW+ today (23rd).
The timing of the premiere of “Uncovering Electric Cars” is intriguing, as it provides a platform for reflection amidst this policy conflict. This documentary not only questions the mainstream perception of electric cars as “environmentally harmless” but delves deeper into the moral, human rights, and national security issues involved.
Larry Elder, when interviewed, said, “We all want to save the planet, but do we truly understand the costs behind electric cars? It’s not just about choosing a mode of transportation but also about our understanding of freedom, ethics, and the future of our nation.”
The film, produced by the nonprofit organization Impactful Pictures, which has previously explored issues such as the origins of the Wuhan virus, human rights, and cultural issues, has reached millions of viewers.
This two-year documentary collected interviews from 27 experts in energy, ecology, and the automotive industry, and unveiled several shocking on-site footage, including child labor in Congolese gold mines and conditions in battery disposal sites.
Environmental Cost: The Pollution Truth Behind Green Labels
The film points out that the production of an electric car battery requires large-scale mining and water consumption of lithium, cobalt, and nickel. It is reported that producing one battery on average requires 50,000 gallons of water, leading to severe water shortages in some regions of South America.
The film shows on-site footage of the deteriorating ecosystem in South American lithium salars due to mining activities, allowing viewers to witness the “gray cost” behind “green energy.”
Additionally, what is even more concerning is that current battery recycling technologies are not mature, with most retired batteries ending up in landfills or being illegally processed, creating a new crisis of electronic waste.
Moral Challenge: The Pain of Blood Cobalt and Child Labor Sites
The film exposes the cobalt mining sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where numerous children work over 12 hours a day for meager wages. These minerals eventually supply multiple international battery manufacturers, with related companies frequently criticized for shortcomings in supply chain monitoring.
Elder said, “When you drive a new electric car, have you ever thought that it might have been mined by the hands of a 12-year-old?”
The film also interviewed supply chain managers who had worked at Tesla and Toyota, highlighting the current global challenges in completely severing associations with forced labor in the battery supply chain.
National Security Concerns: Who Controls Your Car and Data?
As electric vehicles become more widespread, car systems increasingly rely on software control and cloud synchronization. Information security experts in the film pointed out that these systems are likely to become targets for hackers, revealing that if the software supply chain for electric vehicles is controlled by Chinese firms, American user driving data may be exposed to foreign powers.
“In the future, warfare is no longer about tanks and firearms but about who can control each other’s energy and data,” a former Defense Department advisor noted in the documentary.
At a time when the U.S. Senate has rejected California’s authority to independently set emission standards, this film addresses a critical question: Can the government’s push for net zero emissions policy withstand scientific and moral scrutiny?
Several experts have positively reviewed the film:
“This is a beautifully crafted, in-depth documentary that thoroughly explores the pros and cons of the so-called electric revolution.” – Shahzad Sheikh, automotive columnist
“Larry Elder and his team did an excellent job in revealing the real-life issues of electric cars.” – Mark Mills, executive director of the National Energy Analysis Center
“I believe this documentary excellently describes the comprehensive issues behind the government’s electric car policy. Well done!” – Dean M. Peterson, chief geologist at Big Rock Exploration Company
Director Mathias Magnason stated, “Through this work, we hope to help viewers find a balance between emotion and reason, not just saying electric cars are good or bad but understanding the multifaceted impacts behind them.”
“Uncovering Electric Cars” will premiere globally on Clean World GJW+ on May 23, 2025. In the ongoing electric vehicle policy controversies, this documentary undoubtedly provides the public with a more comprehensive perspective for thoughtful consideration.