Pressure compounding on tyremakers to change
LONDON: TYREMAKERS are under pressure to almost literally reinvent the wheel as regulators turn their scrutiny to tyre pollution that is set to surge with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and threatens to undermine those cars’ green credentials.
When tyres make contact with the road, tiny particles are abraded and emitted. The extra weight of EVs linked to their batteries means this littlediscussed form of pollution — from an estimated 2 billion tyres produced globally every year — is becoming a bigger problem.
‘‘It’s not quite a perfect storm,’’ said Gunnlaugur ‘‘G’’ Erlendsson, chief executive of UKbased startup Enso, which has developed more durable tyres specifically for EVs and rents out tyres that it takes back to recycle at the end of life. ‘‘But it’s close.’’
Tyremakers are racing to get ahead of emissions rules and find alternatives.
Emerging research is showing the toxicity of tyres, which on average contain about 200 components and chemicals, often derived from crude oil.
While critics say tyres contain many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, so far there is only really consensus around one — 6PPD, an antioxidant and antiozonant found in all tyres that reduces cracking.
This year, California is expected to be the first US authority to demand tyremakers demonstrate they are seeking an alternative to 6PPD
— a degraded form of which is lethal to some fish and has been found in human urine.
The European Union’s upcoming Euro 7 emission regulations will set standards for tyres for the first time.
Compounding those challenges, manufacturers will need to develop tyres that emit less for heavy EVs, which Michelin and Goodyear have reported can wear out tyres up to 50% faster.
‘‘The unintended consequence of electric cars is we’ll have more tyre pollution unless we have better tyres,’’ said Enso’s Erlendsson, whose tyres, in testing, emit 35% less than premium EV tyres from major manufacturers.
He says this is because their reliance on higherquality, more expensive materials makes them more durable.
Bridgestone and Goodyear declined to discuss the industry’s emissions challenges.
But Michelin, Continental and Pirelli told Reuters they are pursuing alternatives to 6PPD, with Michelin and Continental adding collective industry action may be necessary to find solutions.
Asked about Euro 7 regulations, Michelin said it wants worldwide standards to squeeze the higheremitting tyres, which are usually cheaper, out of the market. Continental advocates a global abrasion standard with transparent labelling for consumers. — Reuters