{"id":39555,"date":"2025-02-06T17:17:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T16:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greencitysolutions.de\/?p=39555"},"modified":"2025-02-06T17:17:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T16:17:01","slug":"fine-dust-and-e-mobility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greencitysolutions.de\/en\/fine-dust-and-e-mobility\/","title":{"rendered":"Fine Dust and E-Mobility"},"content":{"rendered":"

Microplastics from Tire Wear<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/h3><\/div>

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In the alphabet, F<\/strong> follows E<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Does f<\/strong>ine dust also follow e<\/strong>lectric vehicles?<\/p>\n

In autumn, two globally recognized days highlight the urgency of making cities cleaner, more sustainable, and more livable while presenting potential solutions: World Carfree Day<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and Zero Emissions Day<\/em><\/strong>. While e-mobility is often seen as a savior for clean air, studies reveal that the reality is more complex than assumed. These two global awareness days serve as reminders that reducing the number of cars alone is not enough\u2014we need comprehensive, sustainable solutions to make our cities more future-proof, cleaner, healthier, and more livable.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Emre<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"Chuttersnap\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>
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Photos: Emre Karatas & Chuttersnap from<\/span> Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Electric Vehicles: Clean Mobility or a New Environmental Challenge?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Electric vehicles are reputed to be environmentally friendly and to contribute to reducing CO\u2082 emissions. However, “the assumption that EVs are entirely clean and cause no air pollution is unfortunately incorrect”<\/a>. A study even suggests that EVs might be more polluting than previously thought<\/a>. It emphasizes that the production of electric vehicles, particularly their batteries, generates significant emissions. A key factor is the intensive raw material extraction required for EV batteries.<\/p>\n

But that’s not all. A frequently overlooked issue concerns fine dust as a hazardous air pollutant, which severely affects air quality and public health, especially in urban areas. Not only exhaust emissions play a role\u2014tire and brake wear also produce considerable amounts of fine dust, regardless of whether a vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Fine Dust: An Invisible Threat<\/strong><\/h5>\n

“Fine dust and microplastics are widely discussed risks for the environment and human health.”<\/a> Fine dust is particularly relevant “to policymakers, industries, and scientists. Besides CO\u2082 emissions, these tiny particles significantly impact life in many major cities and along highways, as they severely affect respiratory health”. Not only urban areas but also “natural ecosystems suffer from their effects.”<\/a><\/p>\n

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/em>, fine dust pollution leads to over four million premature deaths worldwide annually.<\/a><\/strong> These tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer. Cities with high traffic volumes particularly struggle with this invisible threat.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Engin<\/a><\/div><\/div>
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\"Jara<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"Priscilla<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Photos: Engin Akyurt, Jara Lenz & <\/span>Priscilla du Preez from Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Where Does Fine Dust Originate?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

“But do these particles come exclusively from combustion engines? Not entirely, as electric vehicles also contribute to fine dust pollution.”<\/a> The notion that EVs alone can fully solve existing problems and challenges falls short. “Dust particles do not only originate from exhaust pipes.”<\/a> While EVs help reduce exhaust emissions, fine dust from tire wear and brakes remains an issue \u2013 possibly even at higher levels since electric vehicles tend to be heavier due to their batteries<\/a>, which “leads to increased tire wear emissions”<\/a>.<\/p>\n