Electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to air pollution primarily through non-exhaust emissions since they have no tailpipe emissions. The main sources of air pollution from EVs are:
- Tyre Wear: As with all vehicles, EVs produce particulate matter (PM) through tyre wear, which releases fine particles into the air. These particles can contribute to air pollution, particularly PM2.5, which is harmful to health.
- Brake Wear: Although EVs have regenerative braking systems that reduce brake wear, some brake wear still occurs, releasing particulates into the atmosphere. This is less significant compared to conventional vehicles due to the regenerative braking system.
- Road Wear and Dust: Like any vehicle, EVs contribute to road dust and wear, which can become airborne and contribute to pollution.
It’s important to note that these non-exhaust emissions are generally lower in EVs than in conventional vehicles, especially considering the elimination of tailpipe emissions like NOx and direct PM2.5 from combustion.
Additionally, while not directly an emission from the vehicle itself, the production of electricity used to charge EVs can generate pollution if the electricity mix includes fossil fuels. However, this is not a direct emission from the vehicle but rather from the energy generation process.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-main-sources-of-air-pollution-from-electric-vehicles/
