Tire wear from electric cars: A new challenge for the environment!

Tire wear from electric cars: A new challenge for the environment!

Tire wear is a serious environmental problem that is often overlooked. In Germany, around 100,000 tonnes of tire wear is produced every year, which accounts for around a third of annual microplastic emissions, according to estimates by the Federal Environment Agency. The focus is particularly on electric vehicles, which tend to cause more wear and tear due to their higher weight and strong acceleration. As part of the RAMUS project, which is carried out by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Technological and Economic Mathematics, targeted research is being carried out into how tire wear occurs on these vehicles. Wirtschaftskraft.de also reports on the important role of this project in sustainable transport planning.

Scientific approaches to reducing microplastics

In the RAMUS project, a forecast model is being developed that is based on real traffic data. Test runs on the test bench simulate real vehicle behavior under various conditions. The researchers are investigating how factors such as vehicle weight, road conditions and driving behavior influence tire wear. Dr. Martin Gießler from KIT emphasizes: “In contrast to sources of pollution that have been the focus so far, such as exhaust gases, the influences on the production process have not yet been researched much.” An important step towards regulating the problem is achieved by the Euro 7 standard, which will introduce limits for the abrasion of car tires for the first time from 2028.

The knowledge gained from the project should be made available to the public not only in scientific publications, but also via a freely accessible platform. The aim is to sustainably reduce microplastic pollution from tire wear and thus contribute to a cleaner environment. In this way, the research will not only lead to the development of effective strategies to minimize tire wear, but will also be made available to a wide audience to raise awareness of this often underestimated source of environmental pollution.