Not all of the emissions produced from cars, van and HGVs stem from their exhausts. Here’s what you need to know…
Non-Exhaust Emissions
We’re living through an escalating Climate Crisis, which poses an existential risk to human society. Transport, overall, is one of the largest producers of CO2 emissions. So, it’s no surprise that so-called ‘zero-emission’ vehicles have become so central to the automotive industry’s plans.
Unfortunately, this label is misleading. Often applied to all-electric vehicles, which lack combustion engines, it implies that they’re truly ‘green’ and have no environmental impact. Whilst they’re widely regarded as being more sustainable than their ICE counterparts, this simply isn’t the case.
Whilst BEVs don’t produce exhaust-related emissions, they do produce non-exhaust emissions; meaning that, as of now, there’s no such thing as a ‘zero-emission vehicle’. Here’s where the non-exhaust emissions are coming from…
Tyres
As a result of friction between a vehicle’s tyres and road surfaces, particles are produced and enter the atmosphere. This means that, according to some scientists, microplastics are produced.
Indeed, the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants believes they could account for 28% of microplastics in the world’s oceans. For perspective, that’d put tyre particles on the same level as plastic bottles or bags in terms of impact. The amount of particulates produced by tyres depends on their quality, the nature of road surfaces and how drivers behave behind the wheel. Particulates can notably be a health risk, too.
Brakes
Most braking systems work by producing friction between discs and pads which, ultimately, slows a vehicle down. Just like tyres, then, braking systems produce particulate matter. This negatively affects local air quality.
Road Surfaces
Thermoplastic material can be released into the atmosphere as roads are worn, barraged from friction caused by the vehicles travelling on them. The more traffic that uses a part of the road network, the more particulates will be released into the atmosphere. Some road materials are more harmful than others, so older roads that haven’t been resurfaced tend to have the largest environmental impact.
Car Production
It’d be foolish not to factor in the total lifetime emissions caused by a car – and that includes those emissions produced before they ever reach a road. Raw materials are required to produce vehicles, as with anything else. For EVs, rare earth minerals are required and mining can cause a variety of environmental conundrums; including disruption to local ecosystems and contamination of soil. Then the manufacturing process uses energy (often produced via fossil fuels) and produces emissions on an industrial scale.
Most of the power generated in world doesn’t currently come from renewables, so the energy used by EVs isn’t ‘clean’ either.
The Bottom Line
The scientific consensus is that BEVs are much better for the environment than diesels, petrols or hybrids. This is an unavoidable fact. However, ‘better’ doesn’t imply that they’re inherently good for the environment and drivers, and fleets, still have responsibility to minimise their impact. This means ensuring they regularly service and maintain their EVs and instruct their drivers to behave responsibly behind the wheel.
Renault Has Resumed Car Production In Russia – https://autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/renault-has-resumed-car-production-in-russia/
The UK Faces £13 Billion In Road Repair Costs – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/the-uk-faces-13-billion-in-road-repair-costs/