- Meeting the Demands for EVs: Tyre manufacturers try to provide the ideal tyre for electric vehicles (EVs) that balances performance and durability.
- Considerations for Weight and Torque: Due to the higher weight and torque of EVs, tougher tyres are required to carry the load and efficiently transfer power to the road.
- Efforts of Leading Manufacturers: To satisfy the demands of EVs, tyre manufacturers are enhancing designs and inventing chemical formulae.
Tyres’ Environmental Impact Beyond Tailpipe Emissions:
- Tyres considerably contribute to environmental degradation in ways other than exhaust emissions.
- Tyre Wear and Particle Shedding: Worn tyres emit microscopic particles that can become airborne or settle on the ground, endangering air and land quality.
- Tyre Particles in Waterways: Tyre particles entering waterways add to the rising problem of microplastic contamination.
- Tyres contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react in the atmosphere and contribute to smog production and air pollution.
Tyre Emissions and Electric
- Vehicles Exceed Tailpipe Emissions: Tyre particulate pollution has surpassed tailpipe emissions.
- The Impact of EV Weight: The greater weight of EVs leads in higher tyre wear emissions when compared to standard vehicles.
- Tesla Model Y vs. Kia Niro: According to one study, the Tesla Model Y emits 26% more tyre wear emissions than the Kia Niro.
Environmental Dangers and Possible Solutions
- Water Pollution and Microplastics: Particulate pollution from tyres adds to water pollution and microplastic accumulation.
- 6PPD and Health dangers: The chemical 6PPD found in tyres poses dangers to aquatic life, edible plants, and human health.
- Balancing Climate Goals and Tyre Emissions: Addressing tyre emissions is critical for mitigating total pollution levels while moving to electric vehicles.
- Reducing Car Use vs. Economic Activity: Sustainable mobility requires balancing environmental concerns and economic activity while reducing car usage.
Individual Actions and Market Mechanisms to incentivize Innovation
- Market mechanisms can incentivize tyre businesses to invest in creating low-emission tyre compositions.
- Variations in VOC Toxicity: Stricter industry regulations are required to control volatile organic compound (VOC) toxicity levels in tyres.
- Individual Tyre Wear Reduction Measures: Tyre wear and particle emissions can be reduced by practising responsible driving.
- Using tyres to their entire lifespan reduces particle emissions during the initial usage phase.
@the end
- Innovating for a Sustainable Future: EV performance and pollution reduction must be balanced in tyre design and manufacture.
- Collaborative Efforts Are Required: To address tyre and EV-related concerns, market, industry, and individual efforts are critical.
- Towards Sustainable Mobility: Comprehensive solutions that incorporate technology, environmental considerations, and responsible behaviour can reduce the environmental impact of tyres.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/electric-vehicle-tires-a-lesser-known-pollution-headache/a-66189707