Tire emissions and potential health hazards

author: FutureCar Staff    

Buyers discussing Rivian's electric pickup and SUV on online forums often complain about the rapid wear and tear of the tires. One driver from Colorado loaded his truck with two motorcycles and embarked on a journey. After traveling approximately 6,000 miles, he noticed that nearly a tenth of an inch of rubber had worn off his front tires. These worn rubber particles are now scattered somewhere, too small to be seen by the naked eye. Interestingly, other electric vehicle buyers are reporting similar issues.

While electric vehicles may have eliminated tailpipe emissions, they still contribute to another form of pollution that is becoming a growing concern for scientists and environmentalists. This pollution is directly linked to the heavy weight of these vehicles.

For a long time, it has been known that tires emit pollution. As they roll on pavement, the friction causes tiny particles of rubber and other materials to separate from the tires. Over time, these particles, some as small as a human cell, end up in the air, water, and even living organisms. Scientists in Washington state 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, this chemical is washed off roads and into streams, where it is then ingested by the fish.

FutureCar Staff