Tire emissions and health concerns

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【Summary】Summary: Electric vehicles (EVs) may eliminate tailpipe emissions, but their heavy weight causes tire wear, leading to the release of microscopic particles that pose health risks. These particles, including a chemical called 6PPD, have been linked to the premature deaths of salmon, raising concerns among scientists and environmentalists.

FutureCar Staff Sep 04, 2023 5:16 AM PT

Buyers discussing Rivian's electric pickup and SUV on online forums often express a common complaint - the tires wear out too quickly. One driver from Colorado loaded his truck with two motorcycles and embarked on a journey. After traveling about 6,000 miles, he noticed that nearly a tenth of an inch of rubber had worn off his front tires. This means that microscopic rubber particles are now scattered somewhere. Interestingly, other electric vehicle buyers are also facing the same issue.

Although electric vehicles (EVs) have successfully eliminated tailpipe emissions, they have inadvertently contributed to a different type of pollution. The substantial weight of these vehicles is exacerbating a concern that has caught the attention of scientists and environmentalists.

For a long time, it has been recognized that tires emit pollution. As they roll on pavement, the friction causes tiny particles of rubber and other substances to break away. Over time, these particles, some as small as a human cell, find their way into the air, water, and even living organisms. In Washington state, scientists have discovered a connection between a chemical called 6PPD, which is used in all tires to prevent cracking, and the premature deaths of salmon. During rainstorms, the 6PPD washes off the roads and into streams, where it is then ingested by the fish.