by Sebastien Dorelas
Although electric vehicles cars account for a slim percentage of overall vehicle sales, they have been part of the North American landscape for almost a century. Vehicles powered by batteries have been around since the industrial period. During the last decade, the Federal government offered up to $5,000 to Canadian individuals and businesses for the purchase of electric vehicles. Thanks to this measure, tailpipe emission is declining. While this incentive aimed to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by Canadians, it seems like it wasn’t just the end of the fight against the gas-guzzling vehicles. The ambitious EV dream has also brought its own share of challenges to us. One of them is plastic.
EVs, Plastic and Tires
Tires are essentially made with plastics and chemicals. The situation gets more complicated because there is a significant correlation with the rise of electric vehicles and microplastic pollution. Globally, billions of vehicles worldwide shed an estimated 6 million tonnes of tire fragments and unfortunately, EVs have been a major contributor to this. Microplastics in EVs actually increased tire wear while causing greater pollution. This is mostly due to their weight. Studies indicate that EV tires can wear out 20-to- 50% faster than those on conventional gasoline cars. These microplastics, composed of synthetic rubber and various chemicals, are then released into the air, soil, and waterways, eventually reaching oceans. This presents a new challenge in the push for sustainable transportation, highlighting the need for innovative tire designs and materials to mitigate this often-overlooked environmental footprint.
Consequences…
Microplastics generated from tire abrasion are a serious environmental concern. Tires wear down while driving. Over time, their particles have a considerable impact on water, soil and air. Additionally, tires also contain several chemicals. Some of them are toxic and will most likely contaminate the environment. Recent studies have indicated that fish might be exposed to these elements, which would potentially affect humans who eat them regularly. Let’s also consider the air we breathe. Air quality is an important concern in urban areas. Inhaling the residue microplastics can also affect us thus potentially creating major health risks.
EVs not all they’re cracked up to be
While it’s true that EVs are better for air quality, we cannot ignore the offset of their tire abrasion resulting in another form of pollution. As of now, scientists are still conducting studies to evaluate the long-term impact of microplastics from tire abrasion. Consumers should be aware that, convenience and dollar-sense aside, electric vehicles are accompanied by their own set of downsides and these need to be taken into account as we move toward harmonizing long-term investments in both transportation and our own health.