EV Brakes produce toxic emissions comparable to diesel exhaust

Research highlights non-exhaust pollution from electric vehicles, with brake dust posing significant health risks

EV Brakes produce toxic emissions comparable to diesel exhaust
Image: Bigstock.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton has revealed that brake pads used in electric vehicles (EVs) produce particulate emissions that are as toxic as diesel exhaust fumes.

The research focused on “non-exhaust pollution,” which includes particles released from tyre, road, and brake wear. These particles, significantly smaller than a human hair, can penetrate deep into lung tissue, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.

The study examined four types of brake pads: low metallic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic, and hybrid-ceramic. Researchers collected particles from these pads and exposed lung cells to them in a laboratory setting.

The most harmful emissions were produced by non-asbestos organic brake pads, commonly used in modern cars. These emissions were found to be more toxic than diesel exhaust. Ceramic pads, which also contain high levels of copper, were the second most toxic.

Further tests showed that removing copper from the brake pads significantly reduced the toxicity of the particulate matter, suggesting that copper content contributes to the harmful effects.

The researchers highlighted that as the automotive industry transitions to EVs, non-exhaust emissions will become a more significant source of pollution. They noted that heavier EVs cause increased wear on brakes and tyres, potentially leading to higher levels of particulate pollution.

While current pollution legislation primarily focuses on exhaust emissions, the study suggests that regulations may need to be expanded to include non-exhaust sources like brake dust.

However, Professor Roy Harrison from the University of Birmingham, who was not involved in the study, cautioned that human population studies have not yet shown exceptional toxicity beyond that normally associated with fine particle exposure. He also noted that regenerative braking in EVs reduces brake wear particle emissions compared to conventional vehicles.

Source: Daily Mail

7 Comments

  1. But EVs don’t use their brakes…..they use regeneration……

    Reply
  2. Misleading headline! Not just EV brake pads, all vehicles brake linings. However EV’s don’t require much braking as regen is used for the larger percentage of braking.

    Reply
  3. My brakes and tyres last longer on my EV than my previous combustion engine vehicle, both similar sized vehicles and driven in the same manner. Thanks to regen braking.

    Reply
  4. This is very old and very wrong news.
    as an automotive industry magazine Garage wire should know better.
    EVs’ as previously stated do not use their brakes anything like ICE vehicles.
    my Polestar has done 40000 miles to its tyre and still legal and brakes are not even 1.4 down.
    you should fact check this nonsense before you repeat Daily Mail fake news.

    Reply
  5. This has to be the most stupid statement ever made – and somebody made a study on this beggars belief.

    Reply
  6. Sadiq Khan has read this headline and is now jumping for joy as he has seen an excuse to tax them like a diesel.

    Reply
  7. only trying to push this narrative as to bring in Euro 7 emissions and justify VED pricing. if theyre so polluting then why not slate every road going vehicle including HGV.s? and why isnt there tyre particulates and brake dust covering our countryside and buildings?

    Reply

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