While you are right that EVs just move pollution from one place to another, that other place doesn't have to be a traditional power plant. If we are able to transfer to green energy, like wind, solar, or nuclear, those cars suddenly become a lot better for the environment.

As for drilling public lands, I strongly disagree. If we can build more green energy sources instead, we will become less reliant on oil and the prices might drop with lower demand. Drilling public land is a great way to ruin the area for years.