The advantage of EV battery production over ICE emissions, is that EV production environmental impacts are at known locations and possibly can be controlled. In contrast tail pipe emissions are spread out over millions and millions of vehicles and thus uncontrollable. Having said that, industries should be forced (regulated) to minimize impact on water and air sources in Li production.
On second thought, perhaps less on Li contamination in the air, for its beneficial effect on manic depression bipolar disorder etc...