^^^ Valid points. For one thing, the world's economies are basically built on consumerism, so an expanding market is required for any kind of affordability.
Another thing is that the 3rd world and/or developing countries are typically not as concerned with the environment as the leading Euro and North American nations.
There's also the geopolitical aspect of birthrates, for certain ideologies/religions - essentially the acquisition of power through population count.

Nevertheless, the notion of batteries being made in part from coal has the aroma if irony, no ?

As the old Pogo comic strip opined decades ago, in contemplating humanity:
"We have met the enemy, and he is us."