Particulate matter from electric cars maybe 1,850 times higher than that from petrol or diesel vehicles: Study

As the world is moving towards a rising demand for eco-friendly transport solutions through electric vehicles (EVs) due to higher concerns about climate change, a recent study challenges that the EV alternative could be doing more harm than good compared to its traditional petrol or diesel counterparts.

The widely held notion that electric vehicles (EVs) are environmentally superior is called into question by a study carried out by the emission data analysis company Emission Analytics.

The study, which was highlighted in an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, clarifies the problem of particle pollution coming from tyres and brakes in cars that run on fossil fuels as well as electricity.  

The research's primary finding is that, compared to contemporary gas-powered cars fitted with effective exhaust filters, electric vehicles (EVs) may release noticeably more particulate matter from their tyres and brakes due to their greater weight. The study indicates that this difference might be up to 1,850 times larger.

The added weight of EVs increases tyre degradation and releases harmful compounds into the environment, which is why Emission Analytics highlights the issue of tyre wear. The main cause of this deterioration is the synthetic rubber used in the majority of tyres, which is made from crude oil.

The study also mentions the importance of battery weight in electric vehicles. Since electric vehicles (EVs) usually have bigger batteries than conventional petrol engines, the extra weight puts more pressure on the brakes and tyres, accelerating wear and tear.

According to Emission Analytics, the exhaust emissions from an electric vehicle (EV) with a half-tonne battery might surpass those of a current petrol-powered car by a factor of more than 400.

Although traditional evaluations have mostly concentrated on tailpipe emissions, this study emphasised how crucial it is to take brake and tyre particle pollution into account when assessing the overall environmental impact of EVs.