Study Indicates Tires And Brakes Now Give Off More Pollution Than Exhaust Emissions

Anyone who’s laid a substantial amount of rubber in a local parking lot will tell you that the scent emitted doesn’t smell particularly healthy for the environment (burnt clutch smell is even less appealing — don’t ask how I know). And while the typical driver doesn’t burn through tires via successive smoke shows, regular road use effectively does the same thing over a much longer timeline — and a new study claims it’s up to 1,000 times worse than what actually comes out of a vehicle’s exhaust system.

The report, penned by UK-based independent research firm Emissions Analytics, has circulated within the media for a few days and claims that pollution stemming from tire and brake wear is a growing problem. With European lawmakers clamping down on tailpipe emissions, the firm suggests “non-exhaust emissions” will be the next big regulatory challenge.

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SanJoseDriver - 3/12/2020 5:29:11 PM

+2 Boost

"While the data seems legitimate, it should be said that the particulate matter that’s causing alarm likely doesn’t contribute to climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, has faulted PM2.5 and PM10 for posing health risks, as both are easily inhaled."

As for the brakes, modern EVs hardly use them. The motors do 90% of the braking. My Model S has almost 100,000 miles and the original brakes are at 80% still. I think we'll get to a point where traditional brakes and rotors can be removed completely on non-performance cars.

Tires are also ripe for innovation. I'm looking forward to airless tires that last three times as long, never have to be balanced, and can never become flat.