Did you think that fine particles were mainly emitted by heat engines?

Think again.

According to ADEME, these famous particles no longer come out of exhaust pipes, proof that the pollution control measures taken by manufacturers are terribly effective.

In fact, they result from the rolling of the tires on the road and the friction of the brake pads.

And with tire sizes that keep climbing, just like the mass of electric vehicles, we tell ourselves that things are not going to get better.

That said, electric cars would emit less particles when braking thanks to the regenerative braking function.

In detail, ADEME figures show that:

- an electric vehicle emits 3% of particles when braking compared to 25% for a thermal vehicle.

- 61% of the particles emitted by an electric vehicle come from tires, compared to 47% for a thermal vehicle.

- 36% of the particles emitted by an electric vehicle come from the resuspension of particles on the ground, compared to 28% for a thermal vehicle.

For ADEME, the finding is clear: there is no significant difference between the particle emissions of long-range electric vehicles and those of new thermal vehicles.

Also, it is necessary to continue to fight to avoid the dispersion of particles from the braking systems.

Such devices already exist in the form of a compartment added above the brake calipers.

It remains to be seen what to do after trapped particles… As regards the emission of particles via tyres, it would seem that the quality and level of abrasion of the road surface are also to be called into question.

Especially since in addition to the propagation in the air, the particles found on the ground are also “carried away” by the runoff water and are therefore found in the water tables, and therefore in our organisms.

Without wanting to launch a debate on the pros and cons of the electric car (which in use emits neither pollutants nor greenhouse gases), one observation seems obvious to us: we can't wait for this fashion for large SUVs to pass, and that we return to lighter and more aerodynamic cars.

And this regardless of their mode of operation.

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  • Automotive

  • Pollution

  • Air pollution

  • Fine particles

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  • Environment