Do Car Tyres Create More Pollution Than Exhausts?
Reading time 4 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Safety »
Do Car Tyres Create More Pollution Than Exhausts?
Reading time 4 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Safety »
For many years it’s been widely acknowledged that car exhausts release a significant amount of pollution and harmful greenhouse gases into the environment.
In fact, this is why, in 2020, the government made the decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 onwards. The move is designed to encourage people to opt for electric cars instead, as these are greener than fuel alternatives.
However, a recent study by Emissions Analytics has called this previously widely accepted fact into question. Having carried out experiments on tyres, they claim that almost 2,000 times more pollution comes from tyre wear than exhausts – with the majority of the damage coming from heavy vehicles such as EVs.
In this blog, The Windscreen Company will take a closer look at the claim, and outline everything you need to know about the issue.
According to studies carried out by emission testers Emissions Analytics, tyres are shedding particles around 5.8grams per km. This equates to around 2,000 times more pollution coming from the particles shed by the tyres when directly compared with exhaust emissions – something that has been previously regarded as the biggest pollutant in the automotive industry.
Emissions Analytics suggest that the release of these particles is most prominent in heavier vehicles, and with electric vehicles being naturally heavier due to needing to contain a bigger battery, they could be doing more harm than good.
They did the same tests on petrol vehicles and discovered they released 4.8 grams of particles per km, 1,000 times fewer particles than EVs with weight being the main reason for the difference.
The particles released by tyre wear contain a number of toxic substances including carcinogens. These substances can damage the air, water and soil, as well as the wider environment. And perhaps more worryingly, they can be hazardous to health too as due to their minute size, they’re able to enter bloodstreams and organs fairly easily. Some studies have even linked the particles to conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Another key issue is that the release of these particles is currently not regulated.
While exhaust pipes do emit harmful carbon dioxide, when this was noted as a problem regulations were introduced to limit the number of emissions that can legally be released by exhausts. Now, in most developed countries on Earth emissions are below the legal limit, with European countries rarely coming close to the limit.
Having lighter electric cars would be one way to counteract the issue, however, it’s predicted that it’ll take until 2025 for the technology to be available to make EVs a comparable weight to fuel vehicles.
While the data from Emissions Analytics seems damning, there is an ongoing debate within the industry regarding its validity.
Well-respected automotive YouTuber Sam Alexander cast doubt over the figures used in the report describing them as ‘not reasonable’ and that the calculations make ‘no sense’. In addition to this, a spokesperson from the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) said the study: “did not reflect normal driving conditions” and “was loaded with low-quality tyres.”
With such conflicting reports, it’s hard to be sure just how much of a problem particle shedding from tyres could be for the environment. It’s likely that more tests and reports will be done in the future to determine how concerning the issue should be, but as EVs are already planning on becoming lighter, the eventual difference between fuel and electric cars in terms of particle shedding will be minimal. And due to EVs not releasing greenhouse gases, they’ll likely still be the greener choice.
At The Windscreen Company, no matter what car you drive we’re here to help. Our team is well versed in providing windscreen repairs and replacements on everything from traditional petrol vehicles to fully electric options. Operating across the West Midlands and South East, contact our team today to find out more.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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