A recent report from Imperial College London has raised concerns about the health impact of air pollution caused by vehicle tyre wear. The report highlights that tyre particles are particularly harmful due to the toxic chemicals they contain. In fact, the report found that tiny pollution particles released from tyre erosion are more prevalent than those from vehicle exhausts.
The report estimates that 52% of small particle pollution from road transport in 2021 was caused by tyre and brake wear, with an additional 24% resulting from the abrasion of roads and paint markings. This means that only 15% of emissions came from car exhausts, with 10% more from the exhausts of vans and HGVs.
The good news is that new tyre designs have been shown to make a difference. Trials of new tyre types sponsored by Transport for London (TfL) have shown that they can reduce emissions by up to 35%. Furthermore, the EU will soon regulate tyre emissions, with new standards to be in place by mid-2025.
While exhaust emissions from UK vehicles have decreased by 90% since 1996 due to stricter standards, tyre, brake, and road wear have become the primary cause of traffic pollution. Tiny particles that separate from tyres can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing a wide range of illnesses.
Additionally, larger particles of tyre wear contribute significantly to plastic pollution in rivers and seas, contaminating both the planet and people's bodies.
According to the report, 6 million tonnes of tyre wear particles are released globally each year, with 2.6 million vehicles in London alone emitting about 9,000 tonnes of particles annually. These particles may contain toxic chemicals like polyaromatic hydrocarbons, benzothiazoles, zinc, and lead.
Scientists at Imperial College London are urging policymakers to invest in research on tyre wear, including solutions such as better tyres, devices that could capture particles, and ways to incentivize public transport, cycling, and walking. They are also calling for tighter regulations on the harmful chemicals used in tyres.
Enso, a start-up tyre company, has designed a new type of tyre specifically for electric vehicles (EVs) that produces less tyre wear. Trials sponsored by TfL and conducted with vans operated by Royal Mail and DPD demonstrated that Enso's tyres produced less tyre pollution and were more energy-efficient than budget range tyres, providing greater range per battery charge. They were also equal to or better than premium tyres and cost 10% less.
Enso's CEO, Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, explained that the company's tyres wear more slowly because they use higher-grade materials and are designed for EVs, which can be heavier and apply more torque to the wheels. The UK government has invested in Enso, which has raised £5m to date.
