According to a New York Post report, a study published by emissions data firm Emission Analytics indicates that electric vehicles may actually be worse for the environment than gas-powered cars.
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The study was published in 2022 but has received renewed interest after being cited in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Sunday.
From The New York Post:
[The study] found that brakes and tires on EVs release 1,850 times more particle pollution compared to modern tailpipes, which have “efficient” exhaust filters, bringing gas-powered vehicles’ emissions to new lows.
Today, most vehicle-related pollution comes from tire wear.
As heavy cars drive on light-duty tires — most often made with synthetic rubber made from crude oil and other fillers and additives — they deteriorate and release harmful chemicals into the air, according to Emission Analytics.
Because EVs are on average 30% heavier, brakes and tires on the battery-powered cars wear out faster than on standard cars.
Emission Analytics found that tire wear emissions on half a metric tonne of battery weight in an EV are more than 400 times as great as direct exhaust particulate emissions.
[elementor-template id="1446"]For reference, half a metric tonne is equivalent to roughly 1,100 pounds. The most popular EV in the US, Tesla’s Model Y, boasts a lithium-ion battery that weighs in at a hefty 1,836 pounds.
Car manufacturers worldwide have been scaling back EV efforts as the supply is far outpacing the demand. Recently, Apple canceled its electric car initiative after a decade of research and development.
More over at The New York Post:
Electric vehicles release more toxic emissions, are worse for the environment than gas-powered cars: study https://t.co/1m4uQO6Q44 pic.twitter.com/W9dajIqyg5
— New York Post (@nypost) March 5, 2024