A recent study carried out by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland suggests that electric vehicles are almost as polluting as cars with a combustion engine. What is it we stay in?
According to researchers at the University of Edinburgh, electric models are on average 24% heavier than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles. As such, accelerated wear of tires and brakes significantly increases particulate pollutant emissions. Furthermore, the increase in weight in electric vehicles also accelerates floor wear, which in turn releases particles into the atmosphere.Peter Achten and Victor Timmers, the researchers responsible for the study, guarantee that the particles from the tyres, brakes and the pavement are larger than the normal exhaust particles of vehicles with a combustion engine, and can therefore cause asthma attacks or even heart problems (long term).
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On the other hand, Edmund King, president of the UK Automobile Association, said that even though they are slightly heavier, electric vehicles do not produce as many particulates as their diesel or petrol equivalents, so their purchase should be encouraged.
“The regenerative braking system is an incredibly efficient way to reduce the need to brake while increasing energy efficiency. Tire wear tends to depend more on the style of driving, and drivers of hybrid and electric vehicles certainly don't walk the road as if they were little drivers…”, concluded Edmund King.
Source: The Telegraph