With the arrival of electric cars on our country’s roads, some of the main problems affecting the environment have been minimized, such as emissions and improvements in air quality, and there is also less dependence on fossil fuels. But these are not the only benefits it has brought; there is another lesser-known benefit that is also helping to reduce pollution, and that is the reduction in brake dust.
Electric car brakes
More and more studies are analyzing the environmental impact of electric cars, and a recent one reveals that in addition to the lower impact of direct emissions, pollution has also been drastically reduced when braking. This discovery has a key impact on health and mobility strategies in Spain.
This is confirmed by research carried out by EIT Urban Mobility and published in the specialist publication Electrek. To carry out the study, data from three major European cities, Milan, London, and Barcelona, were analyzed, and the conclusions represent a change in the way pollution is perceived in relation to electric cars.
Less dust in the air
The study shows that battery-powered electric cars generate less dust from their brakes than internal combustion cars, 83% less, which is a considerable amount. Little is said about this type of pollution because, unlike exhaust pipes, for example, it is not noticeable as it is very fine, but this does not make it any less dangerous: it can easily penetrate the lungs and cause or aggravate respiratory problems, which are more evident in cities with heavy traffic.
Electric cars use what is known as a regenerative braking system, which means that the cars are able to brake or slow down by using the power of the electric motor to recover energy, which helps to recharge the batteries. This means that there is less friction and, therefore, less polluting dust is generated and released into the air.
The study also points out something else to bear in mind. Electric cars are heavier due to the weight of the batteries, which means greater wear and tear on the tires, but this form of pollution is less harmful than that generated by braking.
Public health and air quality
This is nothing new when it comes to the importance cities are placing on pollution and air quality, which is why anything that minimizes it is welcome, such as reducing brake pollution.
As many people say, brake dust “is something not everyone sees, but it is just as important as exhaust emissions.” “That dark dust you see on the wheels of a gasoline car… you breathe it too.”
For this reason, large cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, are committed to doing everything in their power to reduce all types of pollution, which is why low-emission zones are rapidly increasing.
This new study is therefore an important step towards preventing pollution in cities and a new reason for governments to exercise the necessary power to promote the shift towards more sustainable mobility. Brake air also pollutes and can be very dangerous to health, so anything that translates into health benefits should be implemented, especially in large cities.