Battery (electricity)

Fuel efficiency

Quantum mechanics

Engineering

Diesel engine

Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent

Power (physics)

Electric vehicle

Green vehicle

Diesel fuel

Internal combustion engine

Mechanical engineering

Physics

Organic chemistry

Particulates

Abrasion (mechanical)

Combustion

Battery electric vehicle

Automotive engineering

Environmental science

Brake

Chemistry

Atmospheric Environment

Governments around the world are legislating to end the sale of conventionally fuelled (gasoline and diesel) internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) and it is assumed that battery-electric vehicles (BEV) will take their place. It has been suggested that due to their increased weight, non-exhaust emissions of particles from BEV may exceed all particle emissions, including exhaust, from an ICEV. This paper examines the vehicle weight-dependence of PM10 and PM2.5 emissions from abrasion (brake, tyre and road surface wear) and road dust resuspension and generates a comparison of the two vehicle types. The outcome is critically dependent upon the extent of regenerative braking relative to use of friction brakes on the BEV, but overall there will be only modest changes to the total local emissions of particles from a passenger car built to current emissions standards.

PM10 and PM2.5 emission factors for non-exhaust particles from road vehicles: Dependence upon vehicle mass and implications for battery electric vehicles