The issue is never the issue.
I have a book from the early 1900s on the troubleshooting and repair of them. At that time, long distance movement of people and goods was by train or boat. Then getting those to their final destinations, or to the train or boat in the first place was by horse powered wagon or carriage or electric truck or car.
We should have kept on using the EVs all along for short distance local transport of people, goods and for services.
They primarily used Edison batteries which actually get better with time and use nickel and iron, not expensive rare earth materials.
By using EVs in urban areas, you move the pollution and other problems of generating the power outside of the urban area rather than concentrating it in the urban area.
EVs so far make no sense for those of us in rural areas or who otherwise drive long distances, especially for long distance trucking.